Rural Lands Strategy adopted

After three years of work, Eurobodalla Council has adopted the Eurobodalla Rural Lands Strategy.

Following several rounds of community consultation and exhibition of a draft strategy, Council has adopted a strategy consistent in every regard with the advice provided and positions adopted by the Rural Lands Steering Committee, according to Mayor Lindsay Brown.

“The most topical issues were the use of the E3 Environmental Management zone, a native vegetation overlay in the Local Environmental Plan and opportunities for additional development in the rural lands without compromising the right to farm,” he said.

“Council has adopted a strategy which does not apply the E3 zone or include a native vegetation overlay in the LEP.

“It provides a balanced approach for additional dwellings and subdivision opportunities in the rural lands while maintaining the integrity of productive agricultural lands.

“The strategy adopted by Council includes a map of native vegetation in Council’s Development Control Plan, not the LEP, which was the position of all except one member of the Rural Lands Steering Committee,” Clr Brown said.

“This means that the Native Vegetation Map will now be located in a more flexible, Council-controlled planning document, not a statutory instrument that needs to be approved by the State Government.”

Councillor Liz Innes, who was a member of the Rural Lands Steering Committee, said the work that has gone into the development of the Rural Lands Strategy is fantastic.

“The strategy provides an excellent blueprint for the future of rural lands in Eurobodalla, providing confidence and support for land owners who may wish to pursue new agricultural or rural tourism businesses, and it provides for more small lot farm opportunities.

“I congratulate the members of the Steering Committee who put in a great deal of effort over the last three years, Council staff for their support of the Committee, and the community for continuing to be involved in the process.  The adopted Rural Lands Strategy is a document we can all be proud of,” she said.

Cr Innes said her only disappointment was the lack of support from fellow councillors in having the native vegetation overlays used as reference documents only and not placed in any planning instrument.

Mayor Lindsay Brown thanked the community for their patience and the Committee members for sharing their expertise.

“Council has appreciated the expert guidance of the Rural Lands Strategy Committee and has taken on board their advice and adopted positions.”

The Rural Land Strategy will now be implemented through an amendment to the Local Environmental Plan.