{"id":"nsw:epi-2013-0471","name":"Murrumbidgee Local Environmental Plan 2013","slug":"murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"471 of 2013","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181235,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:epi-2013-0471-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 [Murrumbidgee Local Environmental Plan 2013](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2013-0471).","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> > R5 Large Lot Residential\n> \n> > Employment Zones\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> > Waterway Zones\n> \n> > W1 Natural Waterways\n> > \n> > W2 Recreational Waterways\n> \n> **cl 2.1:** Am 2022 (831), Sch 1.20\\[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\\]; 2019 (137), Sch 6 \\[1\\]; 2022 (314), Sch 1; 2022 (831), Sch 1.20\\[2\\]; 2023 (458), Sch 2.60.\n\nZone RU1 Primary Production\n\nZone RU3 Forestry\n\nZone RU5 Village\n\nZone R5 Large Lot Residential\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\n\nZone W1 Natural Waterways\n\nZone W2 Recreational Waterways","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; Backpackers’ accommodation; Bed and breakfast accommodation; Boat launching ramps; Boat sheds; Building identification signs; Business identification signs; Camping grounds; Caravan parks; Cellar door premises; Cemeteries; Community facilities; Correctional centres; Depots; Dual occupancies (attached); Dwelling houses; Eco-tourist facilities; Environmental facilities; Extractive industries; Farm buildings; Farm stay accommodation; Flood mitigation works; Forestry; Freight transport facilities; Helipads; Home-based child care; Home businesses; Home industries; Home occupations (sex services); Industrial training facilities; Information and education facilities; Intensive livestock agriculture; Jetties; Landscaping material supplies; Open cut mining; Plant nurseries; Recreation areas; Recreation facilities (major); Recreation facilities (outdoor); Roadside stalls; Rural industries; Rural workers’ dwellings; Secondary dwellings; Veterinary hospitals; 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":79},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Principal development standards","content":"# Part 4 Principal development standards\n\nPart 4 Principal development standards","sortOrder":83},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous provisions","content":"# Part 5 Miscellaneous provisions\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous provisions","sortOrder":95},{"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/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013) (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/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013) as the land was owned by a State authority, a public company or a subsidiary of a public company.","sortOrder":96},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Additional local provisions","content":"# Part 6 Additional local provisions\n\nPart 6 Additional local provisions","sortOrder":122},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Earthworks","content":"#### 6 Earthworks\n\n6.1 Earthworks\n\n> > (1) The objective of this clause is 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> > (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 development that is permitted without consent under this Plan or to development for which development consent has been given.\n> \n> > (3) Before granting development consent for earthworks (or for development involving ancillary earthworks), the consent authority must consider the following matters—\n> > \n> > > (a) the likely disruption of, or any detrimental effect on, 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 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 waterway, drinking water catchment or environmentally sensitive area,\n> > \n> > > (h) any appropriate measures proposed to avoid, minimise or mitigate the impacts of the development.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> The [National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1974-080), particularly section 86, deals with harming Aboriginal objects.","sortOrder":123},{"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(When this Plan was made this Schedule was blank)","sortOrder":133},{"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":134},{"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":135},{"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":138},{"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":139},{"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 2019 (249), cl 5.\n\n**Maps:** Am 2019 (249), cl 4. Entries discontinued from July 2021 when responsibility for map updates moved to Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.","sortOrder":143},{"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":146},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Site location requirements","content":"## Division 1 Site location requirements\n\nDivision 1 Site location requirements","sortOrder":148},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Operational requirements","content":"## Division 2 Operational requirements\n\nDivision 2 Operational requirements","sortOrder":150},{"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":158},{"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":159},{"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":161},{"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":162},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Culture water","content":"#### 11 Culture water\n\n11 Culture water\n\n> Must use freshwater.","sortOrder":163}],"analysis":{"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":"The instrument remains a local environmental plan whose core purpose is to zone the Murrumbidgee area, set permitted uses, protect agricultural, environmental and heritage values and regulate subdivision and development. Over time the LEP has been updated with targeted additions (for example, clauses on suspension of covenants, aquaculture controls, riverfront protections, and music‑related consent limits) and technical amendments cross‑referencing State policies. These are incremental and sector‑specific changes to how the Plan operates rather than a broad expansion of the Plan’s original scope."},"complexity_factors":["12 distinct zoning categories with a detailed Land Use Table that lists permitted without consent, permitted with consent and prohibited uses for each zone (cl 2.1, Land Use Table).","Multiple overlay and technical maps that materially change assessment outcomes (Lot Size Map, Land Zoning Map, Terrestrial Biodiversity Map, Riparian Lands and Watercourses Map, Wetlands Map, Groundwater Vulnerability Map, Heritage Map, Coleambally Irrigation Area Map, Land Reservation Acquisition Map) (see cl 1.3, cl 1.7 and numerous references throughout).","Extensive cross‑references to State environmental planning policies (SEPPs) and other Acts (eg. EPA Act, Forestry Act, Fisheries Management Act, Local Government Act, Biodiversity and Conservation Act), creating multiple legal interaction points (cl 1.9, many notes and clauses).","Several conditional and exception pathways (notably clause 4.6 ‘Exceptions to development standards’, clause 4.2/4.2A rural subdivision and Coleambally irrigation rules, clause 5.18 intensive livestock thresholds).","Schedules with technical and operational requirements (Schedule 6 aquaculture site/operational controls; Schedules for exempt and complying development are reference points to State Codes) add technical detail and constraints.","Heritage and Aboriginal place rules impose extra procedural steps (notification to Heritage Council, local Aboriginal communities, potential requirement for heritage management documents) (cl 5.10, Schedule 5).","Specific local provisions that are detailed and technical (river front/river bed rules cl 6.7–6.8, riparian 6.5, groundwater 6.4) increasing subject‑matter spread and specialist assessment needs.","Provisions suspending private instruments (cl 1.9A) with multiple carve‑outs increases legal complexity for title and covenant analysis.","Multiple amendments and 'not adopted' placeholders (eg. height, floor space ratio not adopted) which require readers to check which clauses are active and which are not—practical complexity for practitioners.","Procedural heterogeneity: mix of exempt, complying and development‑consent pathways, plus the Plan’s reliance on State codes for many everyday development types (Parts 3, Schedules 2–3)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument is and what it does (mechanics)\n\n- This is a local environmental plan (LEP) that sets the land‑use rules for the Murrumbidgee local area. It does three practical things:\n  - divides the plan area into zones on maps (Land Zoning Map) and lists what uses are permitted, permitted with consent, or prohibited in each zone (Land Use Table) (cl 2.1–2.3, cl 2.2);\n  - applies overlay controls and technical standards (shown on maps such as Lot Size Map, Terrestrial Biodiversity Map, Riparian Lands and Watercourses Map, Wetlands Map, Groundwater Vulnerability Map, Heritage Map and others) that trigger particular assessment requirements (see cl 4.1, cl 6.3–6.6, cl 5.10 and the maps referenced throughout);\n  - sets procedural rules for development: when development consent is required, what kinds of development can be exempt or complying development, and what information the consent authority must consider when deciding applications (Parts 3–6, cl 3.1–3.3, cl 3.2, cl 6.1, cl 6.9).\n\n- The Plan relies on and cross‑checks with State environmental planning policies (SEPPs) and other Acts; where a SEPP prevails it overrules inconsistent LEP provisions (cl 1.9).\n\nOfficial stated aims (claims from the Plan)\n\n- The Plan explicitly aims to make local planning provisions for the area and to: protect arts and cultural activity; protect agricultural and horticultural land; provide for housing, employment, recreation and community facilities; promote efficient and equitable public infrastructure; and conserve environmental heritage (cl 1.2).\n\nHow the Plan implements those aims (key mechanisms and examples)\n\n- Zoning: it creates rural, residential, industrial, recreation, conservation and waterway zones (12 zone categories are listed) and ties permitted uses to each zone so that some activities (for example, agriculture and farm buildings) are permitted in RU1 but many commercial or industrial uses are prohibited there (cl 2.1, Land Use Table).\n\n- Lot size and subdivision controls: minimum lot sizes are set on a Lot Size Map and subdivision generally requires consent; there are special rules for community title schemes and for intensive plant agriculture in the Coleambally Irrigation Area (cl 4.1, cl 4.1AA, cl 4.2A).\n\n- Environmental overlays and development tests: where land is mapped as Biodiversity, Riparian, Wetland, or Groundwater Vulnerable, the consent authority must consider specific environmental impacts and must be satisfied that impacts are avoided, minimised or mitigated before granting consent (cl 6.3–6.6).\n\n- River and waterfront controls: specific, stricter controls apply to the Murrumbidgee River bed, banks and river front areas (cl 6.7–6.8), including limits on types of permitted development and requirements to protect riverine processes and public access.\n\n- Heritage: works that affect heritage items, Aboriginal places or archaeological sites generally require consent and additional consultation or heritage assessments can be required (cl 5.10 and Schedule 5).\n\n- Agriculture and intensive uses: the Plan sets assessment criteria for intensive livestock agriculture and aquaculture, and in some limited small‑scale circumstances sets threshold capacities under which consent is not required, subject to siting rules (cl 5.18, cl 5.19, Schedule 6).\n\n- Special provisions affecting private instruments: the Plan includes a suspension clause that can render private covenants or agreements inapplicable to the extent necessary to carry out development allowed by the LEP, but it carves out a number of public and conservation instruments from that suspension (cl 1.9A).\n\nWho is affected and who decides\n\n- Who decides: the Council is the consent authority for development under this Plan (subject to the Act and any State policies) (cl 1.6).\n\n- Who pays and who acts: landowners and developers bear the cost of compliance (preparing statements of environmental effects, heritage assessments, service connections, infrastructure upgrades). The Council pays administrative costs for assessing applications, and State agencies may become involved for acquisitions or maps. Public authorities can be both proponents and regulators depending on the development and the SEPPs invoked (cl 5.1, cl 5.12).\n\nPractical effects on behaviour and private choice\n\n- Developers and landowners must check the relevant zone and any overlay maps before planning a use. Many otherwise commercially attractive activities are zone‑prohibited or require consent.\n\n- Subdivision and dwelling entitlements are constrained by lot size rules, with targeted flexibility for irrigation areas and limited rural exceptions that prohibit dwellings on certain small lots (cl 4.1, cl 4.2, cl 4.2A, cl 4.2C).\n\n- Environmental overlays increase approval costs and require additional studies or management measures; these raise barriers to development in biodiversity, riparian, wetland and groundwater vulnerable areas (cl 6.3–6.6).\n\n- Heritage listings and Aboriginal place protections add notification and consultation steps and can preclude demolition or require conservation work as a condition of consent (cl 5.10, Schedule 5).\n\n- The clause suspending private covenants (cl 1.9A) shifts some bargaining power from private covenant holders to the public planning regime for development consistent with the LEP; however, several public and conservation instruments are preserved from suspension.\n\nCosts, trade‑offs, incentives and implementation risks (analytical lens)\n\n- Compliance costs and delays: the Plan imposes multiple assessment requirements (environmental statements, heritage reports, BASIX commitments where relevant) that raise an applicant’s cost and time to obtain consent (see cl 4.6 note re regulation requirements, cl 5.18(3), cl 5.19(2)).\n\n- Concentrated vs diffuse effects: some provisions create concentrated benefits (e.g. where Schedule 1 permits additional uses on particular sites or where exceptions to standards may allow a specific development) while imposing diffuse compliance costs on neighbouring owners and on applicants generally (cl 2.5, cl 4.6).\n\n- Incentives: minimum lot sizes and agricultural protections (cl 4.1, cl 4.2) are designed to preserve farm viability; the Plan also creates incentives for locating certain aquaculture or intensive agriculture in appropriate zones but places tight siting limits to avoid nuisances (cl 5.19, cl 5.18).\n\n- Discretion and uncertainty: many clauses require the consent authority to be \"satisfied\" of subjective matters (for example, suitability of land for intensive plant agriculture, or that a temporary use won’t prejudice future development), which creates administrative discretion and potential uncertainty for applicants (cl 4.2A(4), cl 2.8(3)).\n\n- Risk of substitution effects: where activities are prohibited in one zone they may shift to other zones or adjacent councils, creating spatial shifts rather than elimination of demand (implicit across Land Use Table and cl 5.3 on development near zone boundaries).\n\n- Implementation dependencies: the Plan depends on up‑to‑date maps and State guidance (cl 1.7). Amendments to SEPPs or State guidelines can change how the LEP operates in practice (cl 1.9).\n\nNotable specific provisions with direct practical impacts\n\n- Temporary uses: Council can grant consent for temporary uses up to 52 days per 12 months (cl 2.8).\n\n- Suspension of covenants: private covenants are broadly suspended where they would prevent development under the LEP, but public conservation instruments and Crown land instruments are excluded from that suspension (cl 1.9A).\n\n- Music and licensed premises: Council cannot refuse consent for licensed premises solely because of music, genre, presence of dancing, stage orientation or decorations; it must only refuse if noise cannot be managed to an acceptable level (cl 5.20).\n\n- Riverfront and riverbed rules: stricter controls and purpose lists apply within 100 metres of the Murrumbidgee River bank and to the river bed itself (cl 6.7–6.8).\n\n- Exemptions and complying development: the LEP relies on State Codes for many common exemptions and complying developments; this LEP adds local exemptions and complying items by Schedule where applicable (Part 3, Schedules 2–3).\n\nSummary statement\n\n- In short: the Murrumbidgee LEP 2013 establishes zoning, overlays, permitted/prohibited uses, and rules for assessing development within the local area. It balances controls to protect agriculture, biodiversity, rivers and heritage with targeted flexibility (e.g. irrigation area subdivision rules, temporary uses, and limited complying development). The document allocates decision‑making to the Council but embeds many State policy cross‑references and technical requirements that raise compliance costs and create administrative discretion. (Key sections cited in the body above: cl 1.2, cl 1.3, cl 1.6, cl 1.7, cl 1.9, cl 1.9A, cl 1.8A, Parts 2–6, cl 4.1, cl 4.2A, cl 4.6, cl 5.10, cl 5.18, cl 5.19, cl 5.20, cl 6.3–6.9.)"},"summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"While the core purpose — controlling land use in the Murrumbidgee area — remains consistent with the original 2013 instrument, the plan has been amended over 40 times across 12+ years. This volume of amendments strongly suggests the scope has evolved materially, likely reflecting rezoning of specific parcels, changes to permissible land uses, updated heritage listings, incorporation of new state planning policies, and adjustments to development standards. The cumulative effect means the current plan is substantially broader and more detailed than the original 2013 version."},"complexity_factors":["Standard instrument LEP format incorporates numerous standardised provisions from state-level templates, requiring cross-referencing with the NSW Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Order 2006","Operates within a layered regulatory framework — must be read alongside the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs), and council development control plans","Extensive use of zoning maps that must be consulted alongside the written instrument — the text alone is insufficient to understand your rights","Highly amended document (40+ versions since 2013) meaning the current rules may differ significantly from earlier versions, and transitional provisions may apply to older development applications","Rural and agricultural land use rules involve complex definitions and permissibility matrices that vary significantly by zone","Heritage, biodiversity, and flood/hazard provisions involve technical assessments and specialist reports","Interaction with overlays (e.g. flood planning areas, acid sulfate soils, heritage conservation areas) adds additional layers of restriction on top of base zoning","Council discretion provisions mean outcomes are not always predictable from the text alone"],"plain_english_summary":"The Murrumbidgee Local Environmental Plan 2013 is the legal land‑use rulebook for the Murrumbidgee local government area, setting zoning, building heights, minimum lot sizes, heritage, hazard and environmental controls that determine what you can do with land.  \n\nIt directly affects owners, residents, farmers, developers and buyers by defining permitted uses, approvals needed and enforcement risks. The plan has been amended 40+ times since 2013, so always check the current version before acting."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2048},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Plan remains focused on its original purpose of local environmental planning for the Murrumbidgee region. While it has been amended several times (notably to update zone names, add specific provisions for the Coleambally Irrigation Area, and refine subdivision controls), these changes represent typical evolutionary updates to address specific local issues rather than a fundamental expansion beyond land use planning."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple interdependent maps referenced throughout (Land Zoning Map, Lot Size Map, Heritage Map, Terrestrial Biodiversity Map, Groundwater Vulnerability Map, etc.) requiring cross-referencing","Zone-specific conditional logic with 12 different zones (RU1, RU3, RU5, R5, E4, SP2, RE1, RE2, C1, C3, W1, W2) each with distinct permitted/prohibited uses","Nested exceptions in subdivision controls (clauses 4.1, 4.1AA, 4.2, 4.2A, 4.2B, 4.2C) with specific carve-outs for strata plans, community title, rural workers' dwellings, and intensive plant agriculture","Extensive cross-referencing to State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) and other legislation (Water Management Act, Fisheries Management Act, Heritage Act, etc.)","Heritage controls requiring assessment of 'heritage significance' and specific processes for archaeological sites and Aboriginal places","Detailed technical schedules for aquaculture (pond-based and tank-based) with species selection and design requirements","Multiple 'not adopted' and 'not applicable' clauses indicating a template-based structure with dormant provisions","Savings and transitional provisions (clause 1.8A) creating parallel assessment pathways for applications lodged before the Plan commenced"],"plain_english_summary":"This is the rulebook that controls what can be built and how land is used in the Murrumbidgee region of New South Wales (covering areas like Darlington Point and Coleambally).\n\n**What it does:**\n*   **Zones the land:** It divides the region into categories like Primary Production (farming), Village, Large Lot Residential, General Industrial, and Conservation. Each zone lists what activities are allowed (e.g., farms, shops, houses) and whether they need Council approval (development consent).\n*   **Protects farmland:** It has strict rules about subdividing rural land to prevent farms from being broken into pieces too small to be viable, though it allows flexibility for intensive plant agriculture (like in the Coleambally Irrigation Area).\n*   **Protects the river:** Special rules apply to development near the Murrumbidgee River to protect water quality, prevent erosion, and maintain public access.\n*   **Controls flooding:** Development in flood-prone areas must meet safety standards and not worsen flooding for neighbours.\n*   **Protects heritage:** It lists specific heritage items (like the Toganmain Woolshed and the Warrangesda Aboriginal Mission) and requires approval to alter or demolish them.\n*   **Protects environment:** Special clauses protect biodiversity, wetlands, riparian land (riverbanks), and vulnerable groundwater systems.\n*   **Fast-track approvals:** It identifies certain minor developments (exempt development) that don’t need Council approval, and others (complying development) that can be approved quickly if they meet specific standards.\n*   **Supports live music:** It prevents Council from refusing pub or venue approvals based solely on the type of music, dancing, or noise from live performances, provided noise can be managed.\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone who owns land, wants to build, subdivide, or change the use of property in the Murrumbidgee local government area. The Murrumbidgee Council is the main authority that approves development under these rules."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013","history":"/api/acts/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013/history","analysis":"/api/acts/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/murrumbidgee-local-environmental-plan-2013/documents"}}