New Bega Valley planning controls start on 15 September

People preparing development applications or submissions across Bega Valley Shire will use amended planning controls from 15 September 2026, when Stage 1 changes to the Bega Valley Development Control Plan 2013 take effect.

Bega Valley Shire Council adopted the amendments unanimously on 15 July. Cr Tony Allen, Cr Simon Daly, Cr Peter Haggar, Cr Clair Mudaliar, Cr Peggy Noble, Cr Helen O’Neil, Cr David Porter and Cr Mitchell Nadin voted in favour. Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick was absent.

The changes followed re-exhibition of the Comprehensive DCP Review Stage 1. The adopted package is contained in four attachments. Council will notify people who made submissions and the local Development Professionals Group about the outcome.

From 15 September, the amended DCP will govern relevant development applications and planning assessments across the shire. Residents considering a proposal, preparing a submission or checking how a development is assessed will need to refer to the updated controls.

The DCP changes were adopted alongside a separate review of the RU4 Primary Production Small Lots zone. Council endorsed that review and directed officers to prepare, as operational priorities allow, a planning proposal to permit restaurants or cafes and secondary dwellings with consent in the zone.

Officers will also prepare a scoping study for possible rezoning of most RU4 land to R5 Large Lot Residential, C4 Environmental Living or RU1 Primary Production. The review recommendation does not change lot sizes.

Council also amended its development administration policy and reporting procedure after receiving two submissions. The procedure retains council determination of applications involving the demolition of a heritage item. A further minor update will reflect new target development-application assessment timeframes released by the Minister on 1 July 2026.

The amended DCP controls are scheduled to apply from 15 September 2026.