The LEP has been drafted to guide development and land use within the Harden Shire and is the first time Harden Shire has had such a document.

The existing instrument, Harden Interim Development Order, was implemented in 1976 and is now over thirty years old.

The LEP introduces a number of new zones, including industrial zones, where the primary focus is industrial development, a mixed use zone and a residential zone where the primary focus is on the residential amenity of the area.

Each of the zones has objectives and an extensive list of permissible and prohibited uses.

“The LEP has been drafted by council and at this stage the Department of Planning have agreed for the LEP to be placed on public exhibition,” director of environmental services Sharon Langman said.

“The Minister for Planning has the final say as to what the document contains, what zones are included and what the permissible land uses are and the only way the public can influence the minister is by lodging a submission.

“There is no guarantee that what is currently in the document and maps that are on exhibition will still be there when the Minister finalises the LEP but once the LEP is finished it is a piece of legislation that council is unable to vary.

“The existing provisions of being able to make a submission to the standards contained within the Interim Development Order will be repealed once the LEP is gazetted.”

Ms Langman said there are natural resource clauses for water, soils and biodiversity included in the LEP and the land impacted is mapped.

“The important message I am trying to get out is that if you like what the LEP contains you have to say so,” she said.

“If you don’t like what it contains this is your only chance to say so.”

Council staff will be attending the Galong Progress Association Meeting tonight and will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday (August 24) at the Kruger Health and Wellness Centre starting at 6.30pm.

The aim of the meeting will be to give an outline of the LEP and what the significant changes are as well as give the public the opportunity to ask general questions.

If anybody has questions that relate to a specific parcel of land they are urged to make an appointment with Ms Langman on 6386 0100.

There are only three weeks left in which to make a submission, so if anything needs to be clarified its best to do so early to give enough time to make a submission.