Planning Proposal to Amend Land Use Table for RU 5 Zone

Published on 04 August 2022

Council resolved to prepare and resource a Planning Proposal to amend the land use table associated with the RU 5 - Village zone in the Leeton Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LEP) at its July Ordinary Council meeting. 

The RU 5 Zoning is defined by the village boundaries of Murrami, Wamoon and Whitton.  

A review of the land use tables in the Leeton LEP 2014 revealed that residential development within the RU 5 – Village Zone is very restricted with most forms of residential development other than single dwellings prohibited in the zone. 

Council’s Manager Planning Building and Health Mr Francois Van der Berg said Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) and the Leeton Shire Council Housing Strategy identified the availability of affordable housing as a priority for the local community.  

“Amending the land use table for RU 5 zone will enable improved residential development and flexibility that supports the objectives in the LSPS and Council’s Housing Strategy,” he said. 

“This will allow other forms of residential development, for example, secondary dwellings such as granny flats, dual occupancy, and multi dwelling development to be developed in Murrami, Whitton and Wamoon, which is not currently permitted.”  

Mayor Tony Reneker said that Councillors were keen on exploring this opportunity as one means to address the Shire’s housing shortage. 

“Alternative housing is limited in our smaller villages due to our local planning rules. This proposed change, if agreed to by NSW Planning, will be exhibited to the local community later this year before Council makes any final determination,” he said.