The production of a 30-year Strategy, focusing on employment-generating development on rural and industrial land within the Blayney, Cabonne and Orange Council areas will commence shortly. This project has been initiated as a joint-venture between the Councils and the Department of Planning and Environment.
The focus of the project is to produce a 30-year Strategy, focusing on employment-generating development on rural and industrial land and promoting the region as a key location for primary production, value adding and industrial development.
The strategy will capitalise on the interconnected nature of the three Councils; a strong combined economy, development opportunities and common issues.
The project will be used by the Department as an example of an innovative approach to sub- regional strategic planning that can be applied elsewhere in NSW.
The Department of Planning and Environment has appointed Consultants to complete Stage 1 of the Project; a comprehensive analysis of the study area including analysis of primary production, the social and cultural profile, environmental profile and policy framework.
Stage 1 of the project has been funded by the Department to the value of $50,000. Completion of the project requires commitment of funds from all councils for the following stages: consultation with stakeholders, preparation of draft strategies for rural and industrial land and policy recommendations that guide local plan preparation.
Overarching aims of the project are to produce:
A Rural Land Use Strategy that: Protects important agricultural land while recognising the impact climate change may have on the productivity of land in the future; Explores opportunities for both extensive and intensive farming, new rural industries, value adding; Recognise areas of particular environmental or landscape value; Considers areas suitable for different forms of rural land use such as intensive farming, tourism and conservation; Responds to the diverse rural landscape, investment in primary and secondary production and current external pressures; Supports established and future rural industries and investment; Develops clear policies relating to the future of rural land, specifically addressing management of existing fragmented landscapes; Addresses policy gaps recognising the important environmental and landscape values which exist, particularly around Mount Canobolas.
An Industrial and Employment Lands Strategy that:
Provides a framework to guide the growth and development of industrial and employment areas in the Sub Region over the next 30 years; Provides a short, medium and long-term approach for the management of industrial and employment land; Identifies opportunities for the diversification of employment opportunities in the Sub Region; Identifies critical infrastructure requirements to support existing and new industry investment; Investigates land use options within constraints of resource overlays, heavy industry and mining buffers; Develops clear policies relating to the future of industrial and employment land, specifically addressing management of adjoining land uses and resource availability.
The Review will consult widely with Councils, State Government agencies, rural landholders and commercial interests and will update the Rural and Industrial Lands Strategy last reviewed in 2008.