{"id":"nsw:epi-2015-0239","name":"Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015","slug":"blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"239 of 2015","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181167,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:epi-2015-0239-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Plan","content":"#### 1 Name of Plan\n\n1.1 Name of Plan\n\n> This Plan is [Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2015-0239).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Permitted or prohibited development","content":"# Part 2 Permitted or prohibited development\n\nPart 2 Permitted or prohibited development","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Land use zones","content":"#### 2 Land use zones\n\n2.1 Land use zones\n\n> The land use zones under this Plan are as follows—\n> \n> > Rural Zones\n> \n> > RU4 Primary Production Small Lots\n> \n> > Residential Zones\n> \n> > R1 General Residential\n> > \n> > R2 Low Density Residential\n> > \n> > R3 Medium Density Residential\n> > \n> > R4 High Density Residential\n> \n> > Employment Zones\n> \n> > E1 Local Centre\n> > \n> > E2 Commercial Centre\n> > \n> > E3 Productivity Support\n> > \n> > E4 General Industrial\n> \n> > Mixed Use Zones\n> \n> > MU1 Mixed Use\n> \n> > Special Purpose Zones\n> \n> > SP1 Special Activities\n> > \n> > SP2 Infrastructure\n> \n> > Recreation Zones\n> \n> > RE1 Public Recreation\n> > \n> > RE2 Private Recreation\n> \n> > Conservation Zones\n> \n> > C2 Environmental Conservation\n> > \n> > C3 Environmental Management\n> \n> > Waterway Zones\n> \n> > W1 Natural Waterways\n> \n> **cl 2.1:** Am 2022 (830), Sch 1.2\\[1\\].","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"pt","sectionType":"part","heading":"Land Use Table","content":"# pt Land Use Table\n\nLand Use Table\n\nNote—\n\nState environmental planning policies, including the following, may be relevant to development on land to which this Plan applies—\n\n> [State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0714)\n\n> [State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0732), Chapter 2—relating to infrastructure facilities, including air transport, correction, education, electricity generating works and solar energy systems, health services, ports, railways, roads, waste management and water supply systems\n\n> [State Environmental Planning Policy (Resources and Energy) 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0731), Chapter 2\n\n> [State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0730), Chapter 3\n\n> [State Environmental Planning Policy (Industry and Employment) 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0723), Chapter 3\n\n> [State Environmental Planning Policy (Primary Production) 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0729), Chapter 2\n\n**Land Use tbl:** Am 2017 (493), Sch 1.1 \\[1\\] \\[2\\]; 2017 (583), cl 4 (1); 2018 (429), Sch 1 \\[1\\]–\\[9\\]; 2018 (488), Sch 1.1 \\[1\\]; 2019 (137), Sch 6 \\[1\\]; 2019 (621), Sch 3; 2022 (314), Sch 1; 2022 (830), Sch 1.2\\[2\\]; 2023 (458), Sch 2.6.\n\nZone RU4 Primary Production Small Lots\n\nZone R1 General Residential\n\nZone R2 Low Density Residential\n\nZone R3 Medium Density Residential\n\nZone R4 High Density Residential\n\nZone E1 Local Centre\n\nZone E2 Commercial Centre\n\nZone E3 Productivity Support\n\nZone E4 General Industrial\n\nZone MU1 Mixed Use\n\nZone SP1 Special Activities\n\nZone SP2 Infrastructure\n\nZone RE1 Public Recreation\n\nZone RE2 Private Recreation\n\nZone C2 Environmental Conservation\n\nZone C3 Environmental Management\n\nZone W1 Natural Waterways","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Permitted with consent","content":"#### 3 Permitted with consent\n\n3 Permitted with consent\n\n> Agricultural produce industries; Agritourism; Aquaculture; Bed and breakfast accommodation; Building identification signs; Business identification signs; Cemeteries; Community facilities; Crematoria; Dwelling houses; Environmental facilities; Environmental protection works; Extensive agriculture; Farm buildings; Flood mitigation works; Heliports; Home businesses; Home industries; Intensive plant agriculture; Landscaping material supplies; Local distribution premises; Places of public worship; Plant nurseries; Recreation facilities (outdoor); Roads; Roadside stalls; Veterinary hospitals; Water reticulation systems","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibited","content":"#### 4 Prohibited\n\n4 Prohibited\n\n> Agriculture; Any other development not specified in item 2 or 3","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Exempt and complying development","content":"# Part 3 Exempt and complying development\n\nPart 3 Exempt and complying development","sortOrder":101},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Principal development standards","content":"# Part 4 Principal development standards\n\nPart 4 Principal development standards","sortOrder":105},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous provisions","content":"# Part 5 Miscellaneous provisions\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous provisions","sortOrder":119},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Relevant acquisition authority","content":"#### 5 Relevant acquisition authority\n\n5.1 Relevant acquisition authority\n\n> > (1) The objective of this clause is to identify, for the purposes of section 3.15 of the Act, the authority of the State that will be the relevant authority to acquire land reserved for certain public purposes if the land is required to be acquired under Division 3 of Part 2 of the [Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1991-022) (the owner-initiated acquisition provisions).\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > If the landholder will suffer hardship if there is any delay in the land being acquired by the relevant authority, section 23 of the [Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1991-022) requires the authority to acquire the land.\n> \n> > (2) The authority of the State that will be the relevant authority to acquire land, if the land is required to be acquired under the owner-initiated acquisition provisions, is the authority of the State specified below in relation to the land shown on the [Land Reservation Acquisition Map](https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/environmental-planning-instruments/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015) (or, if an authority of the State is not specified in relation to land required to be so acquired, the authority designated or determined under those provisions).\n> > \n> > | Type of land shown on Map | Authority of the State |\n> > | Zone RE1 Public Recreation and marked “Local open space” | Council |\n> > | Zone RE1 Public Recreation and marked “Regional open space” | The corporation constituted under section 2.5 of the Act |\n> > | Zone SP2 Infrastructure and marked “Classified road” | Transport for NSW |\n> > | Zone SP2 Infrastructure and marked “Local drainage” | Council |\n> > | Zone SP2 Infrastructure and marked “Local road” | Council |\n> > | Zone SP2 Infrastructure and marked “Railway” | The corporation constituted under section 8 of the Act |\n> > | Zone SP2 Infrastructure and marked “Sydney Water drainage” | Sydney Water |\n> > | Zone C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves and marked “National Park” | Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 |\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > When this Plan was made it did not include all of these zones.\n> \n> > (3) Development on land acquired by an authority of the State under the owner-initiated acquisition provisions may, before it is used for the purpose for which it is reserved, be carried out, with development consent, for any purpose.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> If land, other than land specified in the table to subclause (2), is required to be acquired under the owner-initiated acquisition provisions, the Minister for Planning is required to take action to enable the designation of the acquiring authority under this clause. Pending the designation of the acquiring authority for the land, the acquiring authority is to be the authority determined by order of the Minister for Planning (see section 21 of the [Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1991-022)).","sortOrder":120},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Urban release areas","content":"# Part 6 Urban release areas\n\nPart 6 Urban release areas","sortOrder":146},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 6\n\n6.1 (Repealed)","sortOrder":147},{"sectionNumber":"Part 7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Additional local provisions","content":"# Part 7 Additional local provisions\n\nPart 7 Additional local provisions","sortOrder":152},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 7\n\n7.1 (Repealed)","sortOrder":153},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Additional permitted uses","content":"# Schedule 1 Additional permitted uses\n\nSchedule 1 Additional permitted uses\n\n(Clause 2.5)\n\n**sch 1:** Am 2015 No 58, Sch 2.3 \\[1\\]; 2017 (218), cl 4; 2017 (583), cl 4 (2); 2019 (110), cl 4; 2022 (129), Sch 1\\[5\\] \\[6\\]; 2022 (830), Sch 1.2\\[7\\] \\[8\\]; 2023 (664), Sch 3.2\\[3\\]; 2026 (26), Sch 1.","sortOrder":170},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Use of certain land at 215–221 Walters Road, Arndell Park","content":"#### 8 Use of certain land at 215–221 Walters Road, Arndell Park\n\n8 Use of certain land at 215–221 Walters Road, Arndell Park\n\n> > (1) This clause applies to land at 215–221 Walters Road, Arndell Park, being Lot 14, Section 4, DP 6796 and Lot 10, DP 818679.\n> \n> > (2) Development for the purpose of a recreation facility (outdoor) is permitted with development consent.","sortOrder":178},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 9\n\n9 (Repealed)","sortOrder":179},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Use of certain land at 81–97 Main Street, Blacktown","content":"#### 10 Use of certain land at 81–97 Main Street, Blacktown\n\n10 Use of certain land at 81–97 Main Street, Blacktown\n\n> > (1) This clause applies to land at 81–97 Main Street, Blacktown, being Lots 25 and 3–5A, DP 11349 and Lots 1–3, DP 202276.\n> \n> > (2) Development for the purpose of a car park is permitted with development consent.","sortOrder":180},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Use of certain land at 1 Whalan Place, Whalan","content":"#### 11 Use of certain land at 1 Whalan Place, Whalan\n\n11 Use of certain land at 1 Whalan Place, Whalan\n\n> > (1) This clause applies to Lot 1350, DP 234241 and Lot 1442, DP 543306, 1 Whalan Place, Whalan.\n> \n> > (2) Development for the purposes of group homes is permitted with development consent.","sortOrder":181},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Exempt development","content":"# Schedule 2 Exempt development\n\nSchedule 2 Exempt development\n\n(Clause 3.1)\n\nNote 1.\n\n[State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2008-0572) specifies exempt development under that Policy. The Policy has State-wide application. This Schedule contains additional exempt development not specified in that Policy.\n\nNote 2.\n\nExempt development may be carried out without the need for development consent under the Act. Such development is not exempt from any approval, licence, permit or authority that is required under any other Act and adjoining owners’ property rights and the common law still apply.\n\n(When this Plan was made this Schedule was blank)","sortOrder":182},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 3","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Complying development","content":"# Schedule 3 Complying development\n\nSchedule 3 Complying development\n\n(Clause 3.2)\n\nNote.\n\n[State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2008-0572) specifies complying development and the complying development conditions for that development under that Policy. The Policy has State-wide application. This Schedule contains additional complying development not specified in that Policy.","sortOrder":183},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec","sectionType":"section","heading":"General conditions","content":"#### sch.3-sec General conditions\n\nGeneral conditions\n\n> Any development specified in Part 1 is subject to the same conditions set out in Schedule 6 to [State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2008-0572).","sortOrder":186},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 4","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Classification and reclassification of public land","content":"# Schedule 4 Classification and reclassification of public land\n\nSchedule 4 Classification and reclassification of public land\n\n(Clause 5.2)\n\n**sch 4:** Am 2019 (94), cl 4; 2020 (82), Sch 1\\[1\\] \\[2\\]; 2020 (83), cl 4; 2020 (262), cl 5; 2020 (689), cl 4; 2020 (756), Sch 1; 2021 (294), cl 5; 2025 (114), Sch 1.","sortOrder":187},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 5","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Environmental heritage","content":"# Schedule 5 Environmental heritage\n\nSchedule 5 Environmental heritage\n\n(Clause 5.10)\n\n**sch 5:** Am 2015 No 58, Sch 2.3 \\[2\\]; 2018 (429), Sch 1 \\[14\\]–\\[22\\]; 2020 (252), Sch 2.","sortOrder":191},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 6","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Pond-based and tank-based aquaculture","content":"# Schedule 6 Pond-based and tank-based aquaculture\n\nSchedule 6 Pond-based and tank-based aquaculture\n\n(Clause 5.19)","sortOrder":194},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Site location requirements","content":"## Division 1 Site location requirements\n\nDivision 1 Site location requirements","sortOrder":196},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Operational requirements","content":"## Division 2 Operational requirements\n\nDivision 2 Operational requirements","sortOrder":198}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The plan's scope has clearly evolved significantly from its original 2015 form. With over 60 amendments in approximately 10 years — some occurring just days apart — the rules around land use, permissible development, height limits, and zone boundaries have been repeatedly adjusted. This reflects ongoing urban growth pressures in western Sydney, state government housing policies, and changing community needs. The current version in force from February 2026 is substantially different from the plan as originally made."},"complexity_factors":["Standard instrument LEP format is itself a complex technical document with multiple interlocking provisions (zones, land use tables, development standards)","Applies across a large, diverse local government area with many different land types and zones","Has been amended more than 60 times since 2015, creating a layered history that is difficult to navigate — rules that applied to your property may have changed multiple times","Must be read alongside the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, State Environmental Planning Policies (state-level planning rules that can override the LEP), and Blacktown Council's Development Control Plan","Zoning maps and land use tables require cross-referencing multiple documents to determine what is permitted on any specific parcel of land","Heritage, flood, biodiversity, and other overlays add additional layers of restriction on top of base zoning rules","Only the metadata and version history are visible in the provided text — the actual substantive provisions (zones, controls, definitions) are not included, limiting full analysis"],"plain_english_summary":"The Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015 is the legal rulebook that governs land use and development across the Blacktown local government area in western Sydney. It sets zoning and development standards — what can be built where, and key controls like heights, floor space, heritage, flood and environmental constraints.\n\nIt affects homeowners, renters, developers, businesses and property buyers because it decides what uses and developments will be permitted. The Plan has been amended many times, so always check the current version."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the instrument text, the Plan consolidates and replaces earlier local environmental plans and applies to the land shown on the Land Application Map (cl 1.3; cl 1.8). The stated aims set local planning controls and site-specific variations (cl 1.2). The text does not indicate a departure from those stated aims or an expansion of geographic scope beyond the land identified on the maps; it instead replaces prior instruments for that land (cl 1.8)."},"complexity_factors":["Large number of land-use zones and detailed Land Use Table across many zones","Extensive cross-references to maps (zoning, height, FSR, lot size, key sites) that must be read with the text (multiple map-based site-specific rules)","Numerous site-specific clauses and schedules (heritage lists, public land reclassification, key sites, additional permitted uses)","Multiple development pathways: exempt, complying, and development consent with separate standards and conditions (Schedules 2–3; cl 3.1–3.3)","Numeric and technical calculation rules (floor space ratio, site area, lot size, strata/community title exceptions) requiring careful measurement","Discretionary exception mechanism allowing contraventions subject to planning grounds (cl 4.6) increases decision-maker judgment and litigation risk","Detailed environmental and heritage protections with procedural steps (heritage notifications, biodiversity and riparian controls) that add assessment burden","Frequent legislative amendments and repeals noted in margins increase interpretive effort to track current provisions","Site-specific incentives (design excellence/incentive heights) that require additional processes (competitive design process) to access"],"plain_english_summary":"This Plan sets planning rules for land in Blacktown (the Land Application Map), replacing earlier local environmental plans and fixing zones, permitted/prohibited uses and development standards (height, floor space, lot size); the Council is the consent authority (cl 1.6). It affects landowners and developers (who bear compliance costs) and neighbours by controlling where and how land may be used. It creates incentives (for example, design‑excellence height bonuses), compliance requirements (consents, heritage and environmental assessments) and discretionary powers for exceptions (cl 4.6)."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"completionTokens":688},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Plan appears consistent with its original purpose as a comprehensive local environmental plan for Blacktown. While it has been amended multiple times (as evidenced by amendment notes), these amendments appear to be refinements and updates rather than scope expansion. The Plan covers standard LEP matters: zoning, development standards, heritage, environment, and specific local provisions."},"complexity_factors":["17 distinct land use zones with detailed permitted/prohibited use tables","Multiple overlay maps referenced (height, floor space ratio, lot size, heritage, biodiversity, flood planning, key sites, etc.)","Nested exceptions throughout — e.g., height limits with exceptions for design excellence, corner lots, dual occupancies","Cross-references to multiple State Environmental Planning Policies and other legislation","Detailed site-specific provisions in Schedule 1 for particular parcels of land","Heritage provisions with multiple layers of assessment and notification requirements","Flood planning clause requiring climate change considerations","Aquaculture provisions with technical operational requirements in Schedule 6","Community title and strata subdivision rules with multiple conditions","Design excellence clause requiring competitive design processes"],"plain_english_summary":"This is the main planning rulebook for Blacktown, a large local government area in Western Sydney. It controls what can be built where across the entire city.\n\n**What it does:**\nThe Plan divides Blacktown into different **zones** (like R1 General Residential, E2 Commercial Centre, E4 General Industrial) and sets rules for each zone. For every zone, it lists:\n- What can be built **without council approval** (exempt development)\n- What needs **council approval** (development consent)\n- What is **banned**\n\n**Key rules include:**\n- **Height limits** — buildings can't exceed heights shown on maps, with some exceptions for design excellence\n- **Floor space ratios** — limits on how much floor area a building can have relative to the land size\n- **Minimum lot sizes** — rules about how small blocks can be when subdividing land\n- **Heritage protection** — special rules for 100+ heritage-listed buildings and sites\n- **Flood planning** — restrictions on building in flood-prone areas\n- **Environmental protections** — safeguards for bushland, waterways, and biodiversity\n\n**Special features:**\n- **Design excellence incentives** — taller buildings allowed in some areas if they win a design competition\n- **Active street frontages** — requires shops or businesses on ground floors in commercial areas\n- **Solar access protection** — rules protecting sunlight to key public spaces in the CBD\n- **Specific site rules** — tailored provisions for places like Parklea Markets, the Blacktown Health and Education Precinct, and the former Ashlar Golf Course\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone wanting to build, subdivide, or change land use in Blacktown — homeowners, developers, businesses, and industry. The Plan is used by Blacktown City Council to assess development applications.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Plan shapes how Blacktown grows — where housing goes, where jobs are located, how the city centre develops, and what natural areas are protected. It balances growth (especially higher density near transport) with protecting heritage, environment, and neighbourhood character."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015","history":"/api/acts/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015/history","analysis":"/api/acts/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/blacktown-local-environmental-plan-2015/documents"}}