Hornsby Shire Council has approved the progression of the Rural Lands Planning Proposal in hopes of enhancing and protecting the region’s rural areas.
The endorsed progression of the planned proposal is a result of an application submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment.
Finalised in June 2022, the Hornsby Shire Council’s Rural Lands Study (RLS) sets the strategic direction for managing rural lands into the future and aims to protect and enhance rural values.
RLS key principles include: retaining and enhancing productive land uses, encouraging uses that support rural activities, limiting further fragmentation of rural land and planning for rural villages to ensure they support the area.
Changes that Hornsby Shire Council aims to achieve within the coming years involve short term recommendations made by the RLS which are slowly implemented into the community through the proposal.
The changes seek to support agricultural and tourism industries in rural areas, minimise potential land use conflict, maintain rural character by clarifying controls for attached dual occupancies and enhance opportunities for roadside stalls by allowing the selling of produce and hand-crafted goods from the region.
Hornsby Shire Council Mayor, Philip Ruddock, talked about how the proposal will enhance the Shire’s rural areas.
“Hornsby Shire’s beautiful rural areas comprise a significant portion of the Shire. Each of our rural communities have specific needs and aspirations which need to be met to ensure they thrive and grow into the future and their unique characteristics are maintained,” Mayor Ruddock said.
“This Planning Proposal will put mechanisms in place to protect what we love about our rural areas while allowing for innovation and improved tourism opportunities, ensuring strong rural economies.”
The planning proposal will be submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment for endorsement for public exhibition, allowing residents to provide their feedback.
