Forestry without consent plan advances for Bega Valley RU2 rural land

Forestry operators and rural landholders in the Bega Valley are facing a proposed change to RU2 Rural Landscape rules, after Bega Valley Shire Council resolved to prepare a planning proposal allowing forestry without consent in the zone.

The resolution follows advice from Gyde Consulting that there was a reasonable basis to amend the Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013. Council also reaffirmed its 21 May 2025 position that RU2 Rural Landscape zoning is compatible with private native forestry operations.

The proposal will include a privately funded draft prepared in May 2024, the 2026 scoping report, Gyde Consulting’s advice and a scoping addendum. Those documents will support the proposal under the 2026 Local Environmental Plan Making Guidelines, current section 9.1 Ministerial Directions and other planning requirements.

Council resolved not to commission further technical studies before the Gateway stage unless they are needed to lodge the proposal. The Gateway process will identify any additional studies, consultation or information required.

Transport and road-network impacts must be addressed at the strategic level because the consultant identified transport as requiring further consideration. Council also noted the proposal cannot be prepared within existing operational priorities without removing other identified work.

The Chief Executive Officer must identify the staff resources and funding needed to prepare and lodge the proposal. If extra budget approval is required, the request is to return to Council at the earliest available meeting.

Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick left the item after declaring a significant non-pecuniary conflict because the draft planning proposal had been prepared by his brother, a qualified planner. He did not vote. Councillor David Porter was absent for part of the item and returned before the final motion. The proposal now moves into preparation and the state Gateway process.