Council is focussed on growing local jobs and wants to make it easier for people to celebrate in Wollondilly, particularly through destination weddings, overnight stays, events and markets.

To make this happen Council is proposing to amend the Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011 with a planning proposal that updates the land use planning controls to allow a more diverse range of development, particularly on rural land, while managing the potential impacts.

Mayor Robert Khan explained that the proposal was being progressed to allow these uses in more areas across the Shire.

“Council is committed to developing tourism and establishing Wollondilly as a visitor destination, while also supporting local businesses and communities recover from the impacts of drought, bushfires, floods and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

The changes will provide increased opportunities for events in the Shire by simplifying the planning process and establishing a clear approval pathway. Small scale and low impact events would no longer require planning or building approval and it would be easier to hold destination weddings, functions and business conferences in rural locations.

Function centres would be allowed to operate with planning approval on rural zoned land and on some environmental protection areas if the size of the function centre is appropriate.

There will also be more places in Wollondilly where land can be used for artisan food and drink, high technology industries, bee keeping, timber yards, eco-tourism and markets.

The plan would enable more diverse tourist accommodation, opening the opportunity for a destination holiday park in Wollondilly.

Events, markets and functions would be limited during periods of elevated bush fire risk.

The planning proposal is now on public exhibition, with community members invited to have their say and provide feedback on the changes by 8 July 2021. Council will then consider the feedback, and if supported will forward the proposal to the Minister for Planning and Public Space to make the changes and update the legislation.

Head to yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/events-visitor-economy-planning-proposal to find out more and provide your feedback.