{"id":"nsw:epi-2012-0358","name":"Cobar Local Environmental Plan 2012","slug":"cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"358 of 2012","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181415,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:epi-2012-0358-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 [Cobar Local Environmental Plan 2012](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2012-0358).","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":13},{"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> > RU1 Primary Production\n> > \n> > RU3 Forestry\n> > \n> > RU5 Village\n> \n> > Residential Zones\n> \n> > R1 General Residential\n> > \n> > R2 Low Density Residential\n> > \n> > R5 Large Lot Residential\n> \n> > Employment Zones\n> \n> > E1 Local Centre\n> > \n> > E4 General Industrial\n> \n> > Special Purpose Zones\n> \n> > SP2 Infrastructure\n> \n> > Recreation Zones\n> \n> > RE1 Public Recreation\n> > \n> > RE2 Private Recreation\n> \n> > Conservation Zones\n> \n> > C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves\n> > \n> > C3 Environmental Management\n> \n> **cl 2.1:** Am 2022 (831), Sch 1.4\\[1\\].","sortOrder":14},{"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 2016 (168), Sch 1 \\[2\\]; 2017 (493), Sch 1.1 \\[1\\]; 2017 (584), cl 4; 2019 (137), Sch 6 \\[1\\]; 2022 (314), Sch 1; 2022 (831), Sch 1.4\\[2\\]; 2023 (458), Sch 2.21\\[1\\] \\[2\\].\n\nZone RU1 Primary Production\n\nZone RU3 Forestry\n\nZone RU5 Village\n\nZone R1 General Residential\n\nZone R2 Low Density Residential\n\nZone R5 Large Lot Residential\n\nZone E1 Local Centre\n\nZone E4 General Industrial\n\nZone SP2 Infrastructure\n\nZone RE1 Public Recreation\n\nZone RE2 Private Recreation\n\nZone C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves\n\nZone C3 Environmental Management","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Permitted with consent","content":"#### 3 Permitted with consent\n\n3 Permitted with consent\n\n> Agritourism; Air transport facilities; Airstrips; Animal boarding or training establishments; Aquaculture; Bed and breakfast accommodation; Boat launching ramps; Boat sheds; Building identification signs; Business identification signs; Camping grounds; Cellar door premises; Cemeteries; Community facilities; Correctional centres; Depots; Dual occupancies; Dwelling houses; Eco-tourist facilities; Environmental facilities; Extractive industries; Farm buildings; Farm stay accommodation; Forestry; Freight transport facilities; Helipads; Highway service centres; Home businesses; Home industries; Home occupations (sex services); Industrial training facilities; Intensive livestock agriculture; Intensive plant agriculture; Jetties; Mooring pens; Moorings; Open cut mining; Recreation areas; Recreation facilities (major); Recreation facilities (outdoor); Roadside stalls; Rural industries; Rural workers’ dwellings; Water recreation structures; Water supply systems","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibited","content":"#### 4 Prohibited\n\n4 Prohibited\n\n> Any development not specified in item 2 or 3","sortOrder":34},{"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":83},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Principal development standards","content":"# Part 4 Principal development standards\n\nPart 4 Principal development standards","sortOrder":87},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous provisions","content":"# Part 5 Miscellaneous provisions\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous provisions","sortOrder":98},{"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/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012) (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 C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves and marked “National Park” | Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 |\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> When this Plan was made, no land in the zones listed in the Table to subclause (2) was included on the [Land Reservation Acquisition Map](https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/environmental-planning-instruments/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012).","sortOrder":99},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Additional local provisions","content":"# Part 6 Additional local provisions\n\nPart 6 Additional local provisions","sortOrder":125},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Earthworks","content":"#### 6 Earthworks\n\n6.1 Earthworks\n\n> > (1) The objectives of this clause are as follows—\n> > \n> > > (a) to ensure that earthworks for which development consent is required will not have a detrimental impact on environmental functions and processes, neighbouring uses, cultural or heritage items or features of the surrounding land,\n> > \n> > > (b) to allow earthworks of a minor nature without requiring a separate development consent.\n> \n> > (2) Development consent is required for earthworks unless—\n> > \n> > > (a) the earthworks are exempt development under this Plan or another applicable environmental planning instrument, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the earthworks are ancillary to other development for which development consent has been given.\n> \n> > (3) Before granting development consent for earthworks, the consent authority must consider the following matters—\n> > \n> > > (a) the likely disruption of, or any detrimental effect on, existing drainage patterns and soil stability in the locality of the development,\n> > \n> > > (b) the effect of the development on the likely future use or redevelopment of the land,\n> > \n> > > (c) the quality of the fill or the soil to be excavated, or both,\n> > \n> > > (d) the effect of the proposed development on the existing and likely amenity of adjoining properties,\n> > \n> > > (e) the source of any fill material and the destination of any excavated material,\n> > \n> > > (f) the likelihood of disturbing relics,\n> > \n> > > (g) the proximity to, and potential for adverse impacts on, any watercourse, drinking water catchment or environmentally sensitive area.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> The [National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1974-080), particularly section 86, deals with disturbing or excavating land and Aboriginal objects.","sortOrder":126},{"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 2019 (97), cl 4 (1).","sortOrder":137},{"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":139},{"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":140},{"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":143},{"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)","sortOrder":144},{"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| Suburb | Item name | Address | Property description | Significance | Item number |\n| Cobar | Church of England | Barton Street | Lot 13 Section 1, DP 459; Lot 1, DP 344526; Lot 1, DP 724770 | Local | I5 |\n| Cobar | Cobar Courthouse | Barton Street | Lot 11, Section 1, DP 459 | Local | I6 |\n| Cobar | Police Station, lock up and cells (former) | Barton Street | Lot 10, Section 1, DP 459 | Local | I17 |\n| Cobar | Police Station and barracks | Barton Street | Lot 9, Section 1, DP 459 | Local | I18 |\n| Cobar | Professional offices (former Tattersalls then Course House Hotel) | Barton Street, (corner Broomfield Street) | Lot 11, DP 627815 | Local | I19 |\n| Cobar | St. Margaret’s Uniting Church | Barton Street | Lot 17, Section 1, DP 459; Lot 1, DP 105639; Lot 1, DP 913246 | Local | I23 |\n| Cobar | Cobar Fire Station | 39 Barton Street | Lot 15, Section 1, DP 459 | Local | I7 |\n| Cobar | CSIRO, Soil Research Division (former School of Arts) | 13 Becker Street | Lot 15, Section 3, DP 2659 | Local | I11 |\n| Cobar | Dwelling house (former St. Margaret’s Presbyterian Manse) | 28 Becker Street | Lot 6, DP 513634 | Local | I12 |\n| Cobar | School Masters Residence | 10 Blakey Street | Lot A, DP 32924 | Local | I20 |\n| Cobar | Masonic Hall | 16 Bourke Street | Lot 1, DP 334489 | Local | I15 |\n| Cobar | Dwelling house | Brough Street | Lot 2, Section 9, DP 3177 | Local | I13 |\n| Cobar | Towser’s Huts | Fort Bourke Hill, off Kidman Way, Chesney Gold Mine | Lot 2, DP 1019612 | Local | I24 |\n| Cobar | Cobar Post Office | Linsley Street | Lot 222, DP 733322 | Local | I9 |\n| Cobar | Hotel Corner, Great Western Hotel 1895 | Linsley Street (corner Marshall Street) | Lot 11, DP 635658 | Local | I14 |\n| Cobar | Municipal Council Chambers (former) | Linsley Street | Lot 82, DP 539846 | Local | I16 |\n| Cobar | Bulk Store (Former Wright Heaton & Co Ltd) | Linsley Street (North) | Lots 1 and 2, Section 2, DP 2780 | Local | I4 |\n| Cobar | Brick cottage | 5 Murray Street | Lots 20 and 21, DP 599 | Local | I1 |\n| Cobar | Brick cottage | 11 Murray Street | Lots 27 and 30, DP 599 | Local | I2 |\n| Cobar | “Woodleigh” | 13 Murray Street | Lot 2, DP 521345 | Local | I25 |\n| Cobar | Cobar Pastoral and Mining Technology Museum 1910 (former Mining Administration Offices, Great Cobar Mines) | Nyngan Road | Lot 181, DP 1036962 | Local | I8 |\n| Cobar | Building (former Roman Catholic Presbytery circa 1880) | Prince Street | Lot 93, DP 599 | Local | I3 |\n| Cobar | Sisters of Mercy Convent and classrooms 1884 | Prince Street | Lots 123, 125 and 126, DP 599 | Local | I21 |\n| Cobar | St. Lawrence O’Toole Roman Catholic Church | Prince Street | Lot 124, DP 599 | Local | I22 |\n| Cobar | Cobar Railway Station and yard | South Railway Parade, Nyngan-Cobar railway | Lot 1, DP 839948 | State | I10 |","sortOrder":148},{"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":149},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Site location requirements","content":"## Division 1 Site location requirements\n\nDivision 1 Site location requirements","sortOrder":151},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Operational requirements","content":"## Division 2 Operational requirements\n\nDivision 2 Operational requirements","sortOrder":153},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conservation exclusion zones","content":"#### 7 Conservation exclusion zones\n\n7 Conservation exclusion zones\n\n> > (1) Must not be carried out on the following land, except to the extent necessary to gain access to water—\n> > \n> > > (a) land declared an area of outstanding biodiversity value under the [Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2016-063),\n> > \n> > > (b) vacant Crown land,\n> > \n> > > (c) land within a wetland of international significance declared under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> Nothing in this clause affects any requirement under an Act relating to land specified in this clause to obtain a licence or other authority under that Act for development of the land.","sortOrder":161},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Flood liability","content":"#### 8 Flood liability\n\n8 Flood liability\n\n> Must be designed or constructed on land so that it will not be inundated by the discharge of a 1:100 ARI (average recurrent interval) flood event.","sortOrder":162},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Species selection","content":"#### 9 Species selection\n\n9 Species selection\n\n> Species of fish or marine vegetation cultivated or kept must be consistent with the relevant aquaculture industry development plan (within the meaning of clause 5.19).","sortOrder":164},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Pond design","content":"#### 10 Pond design\n\n10 Pond design\n\n> > (1) Must not require the construction of new ponds, water storages, dams or buildings.\n> \n> > (2) Must not be located on permanent watercourses, creeks, billabongs or isolated outreaches of creeks or rivers.\n> \n> > (3) Must be capable of preventing the escape of stock into natural waterbodies or wetlands.","sortOrder":165},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Culture water","content":"#### 11 Culture water\n\n11 Culture water\n\n> Must use freshwater.","sortOrder":166}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2012 plan established the foundational zoning and development framework for Cobar. With around 40 amendments over 13 years, the scope has evolved considerably — likely reflecting rezoning of specific parcels, updates to permitted land uses (potentially including new industries or housing types), alignment with changing NSW Government planning policies, and adjustments to development standards. The frequency of amendments (sometimes multiple per year) indicates the plan's scope has been actively expanded and refined well beyond its original form."},"complexity_factors":["Approximately 40 amendments over 13 years means the current version reflects a complex layering of changes that can be difficult to track","Standard instrument LEP format incorporates extensive cross-references to the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs)","Multiple land use zones with different permitted, prohibited, and consent-required uses create a detailed matrix of rules","Applies across a geographically large and diverse local government area with rural, agricultural, residential, industrial, and mining land types","Development standards (heights, floor space ratios, lot sizes) vary zone by zone and sometimes site by site","Heritage and environmental overlay provisions add additional layers of assessment requirements","Must be read alongside numerous other planning instruments at State and local level to understand the full picture","Only the metadata and version history are provided in this extract — the actual substantive provisions (zones, maps, schedules) are not included, making full analysis impossible from this document alone"],"plain_english_summary":"The Cobar Local Environmental Plan 2012 is the legally binding planning rulebook for the Cobar local government area, setting where and how land can be used and developed. It affects property owners, farmers, developers and the council by determining zoning, permitted uses, development standards and protections for heritage and the environment.\n\nAmended many times since 2012 and current from September 2025, it’s the first thing to check before buying, building, subdividing or changing land use in Cobar."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The published instrument incorporates later amendments recorded in the Plan’s marginal notes. Examples include 2022 amendments that adjust zoning/standards (see marginal notes to cl 2.1 and cl 4.1A) and changes to the exceptions rule (cl 4.6), 2019 and 2023 updates to permitted uses and local provisions (Sch 1; cl 5.24–5.25). Those amendments expand and refine zone coverage, subdivision/strata controls and several local development controls compared with the original text."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple land use zones and a detailed Land Use Table that specify different permitted, consent and prohibited uses across many zones (Part 2 / Land Use Table).","Extensive cross‑references to State Environmental Planning Policies and other Acts, requiring coordination across instruments (cl 1.9; throughout).","Numerous spatial overlays and maps (Land Zoning Map, Lot Size Map, Terrestrial Biodiversity Map, Groundwater Vulnerability Map, Wetlands Map, Heritage Map, Land Reservation Acquisition Map) that create site‑specific rules.","Discretionary consent pathways and an exceptions mechanism allowing departures from development standards subject to criteria and records (cl 4.6).","Technical standards and numeric thresholds scattered through the Plan (minimum lot sizes, room/area caps for bed & breakfast, home businesses, industrial retail, aquaculture capacity limits in cl 5.19 and Sch 6).","Multiple environmental overlay clauses with site‑specific assessment criteria (terrestrial biodiversity cl 6.4; groundwater cl 6.5; riparian cl 6.6; wetlands cl 6.7) increasing procedural and evidentiary requirements for applicants.","Heritage protections that trigger additional notification, assessment and possible heritage management plans (cl 5.10 and Sch 5).","Local infrastructure and Commonwealth interface requirements (Cobar Airport airspace and aircraft noise provisions, cl 6.8–6.9) that add consultation obligations and potential external vetoes.","Amendment history and incorporated changes noted in marginal notes, meaning the Plan has evolved and requires reading amendment traces to understand current scope."],"plain_english_summary":"This Local Environmental Plan sets the legal land‑use rules for the Cobar area: maps and zones, what uses are permitted, prohibited or need development consent, subdivision and lot‑size rules, exemptions/complying development pathways, heritage and environmental overlays, and local technical rules (aquaculture, airport airspace and noise, flood planning). It affects landowners, developers, the Council and state/Commonwealth agencies because it determines where and how housing, industry, agriculture, tourism and conservation may proceed, changing approval costs, obligations and discretionary decision‑making."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2700},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Plan remains a standard Local Environmental Plan for the Cobar local government area. While it has been amended several times since 2012 (notably to update aquaculture controls, farm stay provisions, and zone references), these changes reflect routine updates to align with state planning reforms and local environmental management needs. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose as the primary land-use zoning instrument for Cobar."},"complexity_factors":["**13 distinct land use zones** with granular Land Use Tables listing specific permissible and prohibited uses (e.g., distinguishing between \"extensive agriculture\" and \"intensive plant agriculture\")","**Nested legislative cross-references** — the Plan constantly refers to external State Environmental Planning Policies (Housing, Transport, Infrastructure, etc.), the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and other statutes like the Fisheries Management Act and Heritage Act","**Multiple incorporated maps** (Land Zoning Map, Lot Size Map, Heritage Map, Terrestrial Biodiversity Map, Groundwater Vulnerability Map, etc.) that are essential to interpreting the text but are separate documents","**Conditional logic and exceptions** — for example, clause 1.9A suspends restrictive covenants for development but lists 7 specific exceptions (conservation agreements, Crown land instruments, etc.); clause 4.6 allows exceptions to development standards but excludes this flexibility for specific zones and standards","**Heritage assessment requirements** — clause 5.10 imposes a multi-layered approval process involving heritage impact statements, notification to the Heritage Council for archaeological sites, and consultation with Aboriginal communities for culturally significant places","**Technical operational standards** — Schedule 6 mandates specific aquaculture engineering standards (pond drainage, screening of outlets) and references technical documents like AS 2021-2000 for aircraft noise attenuation","**Savings and transitional provisions** (clause 1.8A) that preserve the old planning rules for development applications already lodged but not determined when the Plan commenced"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:**\nThis is the **Cobar Local Environmental Plan 2012** — essentially the zoning rulebook for Cobar in outback NSW. It tells you what you can build, where you can build it, and what hoops you need to jump through to get approval.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n*   **Landowners and developers** in the Cobar Shire (from farmers to shopkeepers to homeowners)\n*   **Cobar Shire Council** — they use this to assess development applications\n*   **Businesses** looking to set up anything from a mine to a bed-and-breakfast\n\n**What it actually does:**\n\n*   **Zones the landscape:** It divides Cobar into 13 zones — everything from **RU1 Primary Production** (farming) and **RU3 Forestry**, through to **R1 General Residential**, **E1 Local Centre** (shops), **E4 General Industrial**, and **C1 National Parks**. Each zone has a \"Land Use Table\" that lists what is automatically allowed, what needs Council approval (development consent), and what is banned outright.\n\n*   **Sets subdivision rules:** If you want to carve up your land, there are minimum lot sizes (shown on the Lot Size Map). Special rules apply if you're subdividing farmland to stop it being fragmented into useless hobby blocks, and there are protections to prevent someone splitting a property and putting a second house on a lot that was only meant for farming.\n\n*   **Protects heritage:** It lists specific heritage items (like the Cobar Railway Station, the old Courthouse, and various churches) and areas. You can't knock these down or alter them without Council approval, and often need a heritage impact statement.\n\n*   **Manages environmental risks:**\n    *   **Flooding:** Special rules for building in the flood planning area (climate change included).\n    *   **Biodiversity:** Extra scrutiny for development on land marked \"High Biodiversity Sensitivity.\"\n    *   **Water:** Protects riparian land (creeks and riverbanks), wetlands, and vulnerable groundwater systems.\n    *   **Bushfire:** Hazard reduction work is allowed, but building on bushfire-prone land triggers extra requirements.\n\n*   **Controls specific industries:**\n    *   **Intensive livestock** (feedlots, piggeries, poultry farms): Can only go certain places, with buffer distances from neighbours and waterways. Small operations under specific thresholds don't need consent if they meet location rules.\n    *   **Aquaculture:** Detailed standards for pond-based and tank-based fish farming, including species selection and discharge rules.\n    *   **Mining:** Open cut mining is permitted with consent in some zones but prohibited in residential/village zones.\n\n*   **Protects Cobar Airport:** Controls building heights near the airport (to avoid crashing into planes) and restricts noise-sensitive developments (like houses) under flight paths.\n\n*   **Allows flexibility:** There are clauses letting Council approve developments that technically break the rules (like height or lot size) if there's a good planning reason, though there are limits to this in rural zones.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nCobar is a mining and agricultural hub in a fragile, semi-arid environment. This Plan tries to balance keeping the mines and farms running, stopping the town from sprawling unsustainably into the bush, protecting the local water supply, and preserving the town's character (including its historic buildings). If you own land here, this document determines whether you can build a shed, subdivide for a housing estate, or run a goat feedlot."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012","history":"/api/acts/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012/history","analysis":"/api/acts/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/cobar-local-environmental-plan-2012/documents"}}