1. The Society's Land Use Subcommittee
2. Planning and Development in the Blue Mountains
3. Our Planning and Development Resource Kit

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The Society's Land Use Subcommittee examines State Government and Council policies, as well as development applications affecting environmentally sensitive land in the Blue Mountains.

It's also on the look out for activities that contravene environmental laws and regulations - like land clearing and dumping.

The Land Use Subcommittee -

• has been actively involved in reviewing Local Environment Plans since the early 1990's
• is involved in various campaigns - such as Leave Radiata Plateau Wild
• is involved in Elections - especially Council Elections
• prepares a dozen or so submissions each year.
• conducts workshops on planning and development issues.

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Planning and development in the Blue Mountains is determined by two key documents.

• Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan 2015 (BMLEP 2015) which you can find here.
• Blue Mountains Development Control Plan 2015 (BMDCP 2015) which you can find here.

The BMLEP 2015 outlines:

• What type of developments can be built and where
• What level and type of assessment new developments must go through to get approval
• Development standards such as lot size, height and setback
• Provisions to protect the environment and heritage

The BMLEP 2015 is statutory instrument - in other words all new development must comply with the provisions of the LEP.

It should be noted development in some urban areas is still governed by the old Blue Mountains LEP 2005.

The BMDCP provides information and guidance on site analysis for new developments, and environmental, heritage and other development controls which apply to new developments.

The BMDCP 2015 is a policy document, so developments do not necessarily need to comply with the DCP, but it is a key tool Council uses when considering whether to grant development consent.

More information on the planning and development process in the Blue Mountains can be found on Council's website.

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• Are you concerned about a new development occurring near you and want to make a submission to Council but don't know how?
• Are you worried that the clearing of bushland at the end of your street might be illegal but don't know who to report it to?
• Have you visited your local creek and are alarmed to see what looks like pollution but don't know what to do?
• Have you seen some illegal dumping of waste in bushland and want to report it?

The Society's Planning and Development Resource Kit can answer all these questions and more.

Members of the public often approach the Society for advice or help on environment-related matters that they are concerned about in their neighbourhood or in the mountains more broadly.

This is a positive sign that Blue Mountains residents care about the environment and want to take action to protect it.

The Society therefore developed the kit to help residents take appropriate action on environment-related matters and learn more about the legal frameworks and institutions regulating development in the Blue Mountains.

The Society encourages residents to be proactive. The most common way authorities find out about illegal clearing, pollution events, unapproved development and other environmental damage is through reports by concerned residents and individuals.

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