A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is prepared by councils to guide planning decisions and control development through land use zoning and development standards. Each council in NSW is required by law to have an LEP, which is prepared by the council in consultation with the community before it is approved by the NSW Minister for Planning.

"This new draft Local Environment Plan has several changes to the existing collection of Cessnock LEPs and council is keen for the community to know about and understand the proposed changes. Community input and feedback are vital to ensure that the final LEP Council adopts reflects our residents' opinions," said Director of City Planning, Darryl Fitzgerald.

"To encourage our residents to become involved, we will be holding a series of community meetings across the LGA over the coming weeks which will be advertised in the media well in advance of each meeting."

In addition, targetted meetings with special interest groups will be held so aspects of the draft LEP can be discussed in depth.

From Monday, July 27, a series of fact sheets will also be available at the Council's Administration Centre, the Cessnock and Kurri Libraries and from the council's website at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au. Each fact sheet will provide introductory information about the lengthy draft LEP, the full version of which will also be placed as a hard copy for viewing only in the Administration Centre and Libraries and on the web.

Environmental Resources Management Australia (based at Thornton) has been contracted by the council to coordinate community consultation over the 10 week exhibition period. The community consultation will provide the opportunity for public comment and review of the draft LEP prior to council making a final decision.

The main function of an LEP is to separate incompatible land uses through land use zones. In addition, LEPs often include other planning provisions which set out additional planning controls or matters to consider to guide development. For example, heritage provisions are included in LEPs to ensure heritage values are specifically considered and addressed in development assessment.