Development in Rural Zones

These zones often cover a large proportion of Councils. The farming zone has the purpose of encouraging the retention of productive agricultural land and ensuring that the use of the land for agriculture is protected from non-agricultural uses.

The Rural Conservation Zone has the purpose of protecting and enhancing the natural environment and natural processes for their historic, archaeological and scientific interest, landscape, faunal habitat and cultural values but still allowing agriculture provided it doesn’t impact on the previous listed features of the area.

Extensions and renovations will generally be supported subject to meeting all other requirements of the relevant planning scheme but gaining approval to build a new house or subdivide the land may not be supported.

The support of such development would depend on the reason for the development and whether sufficient need for the development to support and enhance agriculture or the natural environment can be provided.

Detailed plans of what you are proposing would need to be supplied in addition to a range of supporting documentation including but not limited to a Land Capability Assessment, Land/Farm Management Plan, Business Plan as well as a detailed planning submission.

Reach out to us via our contact page. We have extensive experience navigating rural and regional planning regulations, we will provide clear indication of the likelihood of gaining approval and can assist with the provision of the required information and undertake negotiations with Council to ensure successful outcomes