Planning Controls

Planning and Development in Bellingen Shire is guided by a number of state and local planning instruments.

These policies and resources may help you understand the types and scope of development that is possible in Bellingen Shire.

This page provides links to the local policies and guidelines that determine which rules apply to a proposed development.

Bellingen Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010

Find out about land use, zoning and development controls in Bellingen Shire.

Bellingen Shire Development Control Plan (DCP) 2017

The supporting document to the LEP. The DCP provides guidance and details requirements for development that should be taken into account when preparing a Development Application (DA).

Land Use Planning and Polices

Council’s land use policies and strategies provide a broad direction for the sustainable growth and development of Bellingen Shire.

Council has identified over 350 items of local heritage in the Bellingen Local Environmental Plan 2010. These Fact Sheets provide guidance to help landowners manage heritage properties and cover a range of common questions.

Lower Bellinger and Kalang Rivers Floodplain Risk Management Study

The completed Study and Plan will inform the Bellingen Local Environmental Plans & Bellingen Shire Development Control Plan to ensure new development works are compatible with the potential impact of inundation from flood events and identify future flood mitigation works which may be progressed.

Koala Plan of Management

The Bellingen Shire Local Housing Strategy 2020-2040 was adopted by Council at its meeting of 29 January 2020 and referred to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry & Environment for final approval. Final approval was issued for the Strategy on 15 April 2020.

Housing Strategy Implementation - Eco Village Pilot Project

In adopting the Bellingen Shire Local Housing Strategy 2020-2040 Council committed to investigating unique and alternative models of housing development in the Shire.

Contaminated Lands Policy

The management of contaminated land is the responsibility of Council and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The Bellingen Shire Contaminated Land Policy and accompanying guidelines provides a framework through which Council will consider and manage contaminated land throughout the shire.

Bush Fire Prone Land Mapping

Council is required, by legislation, to periodically request the NSW Rural Fire Service to designate land that it considers to be bushfire prone land on a map. If land is identified as bush fire prone by this map, then it is necessary to factor issues of bushfire risk and safety into the process of undertaking development on that land.