FAQs

A Planning Proposal is the term used in Sections 3.31 to 3.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) for a document that explains the intended effect of proposed amendments to a Local Environmental Plan (LEP). It describes the intended outcomes, identifies and assesses the potential impacts that the changes to the LEP may have and provides justifications for making the LEP.

Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LMLEP2014) provides the framework for land use planning in Lake Macquarie. It identifies land use zones and other planning provisions, such as building heights and minimum lot sizes.  The LMLEP 2014 consists of a written document and a series of accompanying maps. You can also access an interactive map in the Spatial Viewer on the NSW Planning Portal to see the planning controls affecting a specific property.

An 'Additional Permitted Use' (APU) allows a specific land to be used for a purpose beyond those already permitted under a given land use zone. Conditions for APUs are specified in Schedule 1 of the LMLEP 2014 and the land the clause applies to is identified on the Additional Permitted Uses Map.

An area at 56-76 Mandalong Rd, Morisset (Lot 2 DP 529914, Lot 11 DP 777034, Lot 12 DP 777034).

The objective of this proposal is to allow additional uses beyond those already permitted on the subject land; to permit ‘shops’, inclusive of a ‘neighbourhood supermarket’ (maximum floor area 1800m2) and retail shops (maximum floor area 1800m2), and ‘restaurants or cafes (maximum floor area 500m2). These uses are currently prohibited uses within the B7 Business Park zone. 

The intended outcome is to allow additional uses on the site to support a proposed specialised retail premises (hardware and home goods) and diversify the range of uses in a location that supports the growth of Morisset as a regional strategic centre. A maximum gross floor area is specified for each APU, to limit impacts on nearby centres.

Should the planning proposal be supported, and the Local Environment Plan amended, development consent is still required. The planning proposal will have to be followed by more detailed development applications for the construction, internal fit out and development of land for shops, supermarket or restaurant and cafés.

Morisset is identified as a strategic economic centre and regionally significant growth area in the Local Strategic Planning Statement and the Hunter Regional Plan 2036. The site is an important business and employment area due to its proximity to the M1 Motorway and Morisset centre. The proponent intends to develop the site into a destination ‘Life & Home’ retail park. Council has already given consent for the development of Bulky Goods Premises and consent to clear and prepare the site for development and is currently assessing three development applications on the site. 

 To inform broader planning activities in preparing for the expected growth in the greater Morisset area, the Council has commissioned a Transport Scoping Study which includes different development scenarios for growth precincts surrounding Morisset in relation to traffic and road capacity. The study included the proposed ‘Life & Home’ development with the proposed additional uses in a ‘low growth scenario’ and found that with the government committed upgrade of Mandalong Road, the road network can operate with sufficient capacity.