Planning and Development involves the various aspects of land use planning, building construction and land subdivision which are administered by Council. The aim is to achieve high quality and sustainable development outcomes in our urban and rural areas, taking into account the social and economic welfare of our communities and the preservation of the physical environment. Whether you are interested in major development projects, housing construction or buying or selling property, this information is designed to guide you through the sometimes complex Planning and Development process.

What is the Planning Process The NSW planning process is governed by a hierarchy of legislation and environmental planning instruments. The hierarchy starts with legislation such as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EPA) Act 1979, and then steps down to various types of plans (e.g. State Environmental Planning Policies and Local Environmental Plans), policies (e.g. Development Control Plans) and guidelines. It is these documents that regulate land use and development.

Development Application Guide for Building, Development and Subdivision The term development applies to a broad range of activities. In some circumstances the approval of Council will be required and in other instances it will not. This information is designed to help you determine whether your proposal may be exempt development, complying development or whether a development application would be required. It also provides an explanation of the processes involved in the determination of a development application.

Development Application Tracking Although some forms of low-impact development, such as sheds and pergolas, may not need Council approval, most significant developments will require a development application to obtain planning or construction consent. Details of the development applications accepted by Council, those that are on public exhibition and the results of Council’s determination of past development applications are all available for download.

Construction Before construction may commence, a Construction Certificate must be obtained from Council or an accredited certifier. During the construction phase it is important to ensure that erosion and sediment control measures are maintained and that all hoardings are secure. A Construction Certificate is not required for Exempt Development; however it is important to determine whether other approvals may be required such as those under section 68 of the Local Government Act, 1993 to carry out water or sewer supply work.

Buying or Selling a Property There are a number of different types of certificates that you may require from Council when buying or selling a property. This information is provided as a guide only. You should always seek legal advice or consult your real estate agent regarding your exact requirements. Fees vary for different types of certificates. A full list of certificate application fees is available in Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges.

Developer Contributions and Charges Under section 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Council is able to recover the costs of infrastructure and facilities that are provided by Council to meet the demands of future development. The range of public facilities identified under Council’s Contribution Plans include acquisition and embellishment of open space, community facilities, cycleways, urban roads and car parking.

Community Profile The Tamworth Regional Council Community Profile and Atlas provide a comprehensive socio-demographic profile of our community using Census data. The Census (or Census of Population and Housing) is conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) every five years and is the only full count of Australia’s population. The last Census occurred on Tuesday 8 August 2006. The Profile data is presented in simple, clear tables and charts with concise factual commentary. The Community Atlas provides 63 maps covering a range of topics from population and ethnicity through to housing costs and internet access.

Heritage Heritage is an important feature of the Tamworth region’s built and natural environment, providing the area with its distinct and unique qualities. The Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010 makes provision for the recognition and preservation of the heritage value in the region. Council has developed policies such as financial assistance schemes and heritage advisory services, to assist property owners with conservation of historically significant buildings and places. Council also provides support services to communities to identify and promote their local heritage items.

Plans and Strategies Council’s plans, such as Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs) regulate development through land use zones and development standards at a local level. For the first time since amalgamation in 2004, a new comprehensive LEP for the whole Tamworth Regional Council area has been prepared in consultation with the community. The Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan (TRLEP 2010) came into effect on Friday 21 January 2011. The LEP is supported by a single DCP which provides detailed development standards.The Tamworth Regional Development Control Plan 2010 (TRDCP 2010) was adopted by Council on 12 October 2010 and came into effect on 21 January 2011. The TRDCP 2010 will be amended from time to time and reviewed on an annual basis. The Draft Peel River Estate Development Controls were exhibited from 7 March to 4 April 2012 and will be the subject of a future report to Council. Planning Strategies provide a framework to guide Council’s vision for the community and the long term direction for land use development. Tamworth Regional Council’s strategies include the Taminda Revitalisation and Economic Development Strategy, the Gateways Beautification Signage Project and the Regional Development Strategy.