{"id":"nsw:epi-2012-0678","name":"Warren Local Environmental Plan 2012","slug":"warren-local-environmental-plan-2012","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"678 of 2012","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181375,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:epi-2012-0678-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 [Warren Local Environmental Plan 2012](/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2012-0678).","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> > RU6 Transition\n> \n> > Residential Zones\n> \n> > R1 General Residential\n> > \n> > R5 Large Lot Residential\n> \n> > Employment Zones\n> \n> > E1 Local Centre\n> > \n> > E3 Productivity Support\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> **cl 2.1:** Am 2022 (832), Sch 1.29\\[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\\]; 2018 (488), Sch 1.1 \\[1\\]; 2019 (137), Sch 6 \\[1\\]; 2019 (621), Sch 3; 2022 (314), Sch 1; 2022 (832), Sch 1.29\\[2\\]; 2023 (458), Sch 2.82.\n\nZone RU1 Primary Production\n\nZone RU3 Forestry\n\nZone RU5 Village\n\nZone RU6 Transition\n\nZone R1 General Residential\n\nZone R5 Large Lot Residential\n\nZone E1 Local Centre\n\nZone E3 Productivity Support\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","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; Camping grounds; Cellar door premises; Cemeteries; Community facilities; Correctional centres; Depots; Dwelling houses; Eco-tourist facilities; Environmental facilities; Extractive industries; Farm buildings; Farm stay accommodation; Flood mitigation works; Freight transport facilities; Heavy industrial storage establishments; Heavy industries; Home-based child care; Home occupations (sex services); Industrial training facilities; Information and education facilities; Intensive livestock agriculture; Jetties; Landscaping material supplies; Open cut mining; Recreation areas; Recreation facilities (major); Recreation facilities (outdoor); Roadside stalls; Rural industries; Rural workers’ dwellings; Secondary dwellings; Truck depots; 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 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/warren-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.","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 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.\n> \n> > (4) In this clause, earthworks does not include ploughing, scarifying, tilling or tipping associated with agriculture.","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)","sortOrder":135},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-sec","sectionType":"section","heading":"Use of certain land near the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve","content":"#### sch.1-sec Use of certain land near the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve\n\nUse of certain land near the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve\n\n> > (1) This clause applies to the land identified as “Buffer Area” on the [Macquarie Marshes Map](https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/environmental-planning-instruments/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012).\n> \n> > (2) Development for the purpose of intensive plant agriculture is permitted with development consent.\n> \n> > (3) Development for the purpose of an artificial waterbody is permitted with development consent.","sortOrder":136},{"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":137},{"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":138},{"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":141},{"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":142},{"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(When this Plan was made this Schedule was blank)","sortOrder":146},{"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":147},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Site location requirements","content":"## Division 1 Site location requirements\n\nDivision 1 Site location requirements","sortOrder":149},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Operational requirements","content":"## Division 2 Operational requirements\n\nDivision 2 Operational requirements","sortOrder":151},{"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":159},{"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":160},{"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":162},{"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":163},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Culture water","content":"#### 11 Culture water\n\n11 Culture water\n\n> Must use freshwater.","sortOrder":164}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Plan replaces earlier local environmental plans (cl 1.8) and implements the stated aims in cl 1.2 by defining zones, permitted uses, consent pathways and environmental controls. The instrument itself does not record an internal change of scope from those stated aims; it instead establishes the operative boundaries, maps and standards. Some potential controls are marked ‘not adopted’ or ‘not applicable’, which limits the Plan’s operative content rather than expanding its scope."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple zone types and detailed Land Use Table that vary permitted, consent and prohibited uses by zone (cl 2.1; cl 2.3; Land Use Table).","Heavy reliance on external maps and numerically specified maps (Land Application Map, Land Zoning Map, Lot Size Map, Watercourse Map, Macquarie Marshes Map) to determine application and standards (cl 1.3; cl 1.7; cl 4.1; cl 6.3; cl 6.6).","Cross-references to numerous State policies and other Acts which modify or constrain operation (SEPPs and Acts cited throughout, e.g. cl 1.9; cl 1.9A; cl 5.12).","Layered consent pathways: exempt development (Sch 2 / cl 3.1), complying development (Sch 3 / cl 3.2), and development requiring consent with numerous zone‑ and activity‑specific thresholds (many clauses, e.g. cl 4.1; cl 5.18; cl 5.19).","Environmentally focused overlays and bespoke controls (heritage cl 5.10; riparian/watercourse cl 6.3; flood planning cl 5.21; Macquarie Marshes cl 6.6–6.7) that add site‑specific assessment obligations and potential restrictions.","Specific numeric and operational thresholds for agricultural/aquaculture/intensive livestock development and subdivision (cl 4.1(3A); cl 4.2B(3); cl 5.18(4)–(5); Sch 6), increasing technical assessment complexity.","Discretion and exception mechanisms (exceptions to development standards cl 4.6 requires recorded assessment and sets limits on subdivisional relaxations) which create case‑by‑case determinations and administrative burden.","Several clauses marked as not adopted or not applicable, and schedule blanks (e.g. cl 4.3, 4.4, Schedule 2 blank), requiring users to identify applicable vs inapplicable provisions."],"plain_english_summary":"This local environmental plan sets the rules for land use in Warren: zoning, what development is allowed or prohibited, which works need consent, and environmental protections (notably for the Macquarie Marshes, watercourses, flood areas and heritage). The Council is the consent authority; landowners and developers must meet map-based lot‑size, subdivision and operational standards or obtain consent, and may rely on exempt or complying development pathways. The Plan repeals earlier local plans and establishes the current local controls and assessment criteria."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":3835},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Plan remains focused on its core purpose of land use planning for Warren Shire. While it includes specific local provisions (e.g., Macquarie Marshes protection, intensive agriculture controls, and music venue protections), these fall within the standard remit of a Local Environmental Plan. There is no evidence of significant scope creep into unrelated regulatory areas."},"complexity_factors":["**13 distinct land use zones**, each with bespoke objectives and permissibility tables cross-referencing over 100 defined land use types (e.g., distinguishing 'intensive livestock agriculture' from 'extensive agriculture').","**Multiple external map dependencies**: The Plan's enforceability relies on separate \"Land Zoning\", \"Lot Size\", \"Watercourse\", and \"Macquarie Marshes\" maps that are not reproduced in the text but are incorporated by reference.","**Layered exceptions**: Clause 4.6 allows development to contravene standards in limited circumstances, but this is itself subject to exclusions (e.g., cannot be used for certain rural subdivisions or BASIX energy standards).","**Conditional exemptions**: Intensive livestock agriculture can bypass consent only if it satisfies cumulative thresholds (e.g., <50 head of cattle) **and** location restrictions (e.g., >500m from dwellings, >100m from watercourses) (clause 5.18).","**Heritage and Aboriginal consultation triggers**: Mandatory external consultation with the Heritage Council or local Aboriginal communities is required before consent can be granted for certain works (clause 5.10).","**Non-adopted provisions**: The Plan contains several placeholder clauses marked \"[Not adopted]\" (e.g., height limits, floor space ratios) indicating a standardised template with incomplete application, which can create confusion about which standards actually apply.","**Cross-referencing with State Policies**: The Plan defers to multiple State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) for exempt/complying development and infrastructure, requiring readers to consult parallel instruments."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Plan does**\n\nThis is the rulebook that controls what you can build and how you can use land in Warren Shire, a rural area in central-western New South Wales. It replaces the older 2009 Plan and aims to balance farming and economic growth with protecting sensitive wetlands (the Macquarie Marshes) and Aboriginal heritage.\n\n**How it works: Zoning**\n\nThe Plan divides Warren into 13 **zones** (such as Primary Production, Village, General Residential, and Industrial). For each zone, a \"Land Use Table\" sets out three categories of activity:\n\n*   **Permitted without consent**: Minor things you can do immediately (like putting up a sign or doing basic farming).\n*   **Permitted with consent**: Activities allowed only if you get **development consent** (Council approval) first—this includes building houses, shops, factories, or intensive farms.\n*   **Prohibited**: Things you cannot do in that zone (for example, heavy industry is banned in residential villages).\n\n**Special protections**\n\n*   **Macquarie Marshes**: Development near this internationally significant wetland faces strict environmental assessment and buffer zones.\n*   **Heritage**: You need special approval to alter heritage-listed buildings or disturb Aboriginal objects and places.\n*   **Riverfronts**: Development within 40 metres of watercourses is tightly controlled to prevent pollution and erosion.\n*   **Flood-prone land**: Council must ensure new buildings won’t increase flood risk to neighbours and can be safely evacuated.\n\n**Key rules for property owners**\n\n*   **Subdivision**: You generally cannot chop rural land into lots smaller than the minimum size shown on the \"Lot Size Map\" (designed to stop farmland from being fragmented).\n*   **Farm stays & second homes**: Strict limits apply—farm stay accommodation is capped at 10 bedrooms, and secondary dwellings (granny flats) have size limits.\n*   **Intensive farming**: Feedlots and piggeries need Council approval, but very small operations (e.g., fewer than 50 cattle or 20 breeding sows) may proceed without consent if they stay far from neighbours and waterways.\n*   **Music venues**: Council cannot refuse a pub or club consent simply because it plays live or amplified music, provided noise can be managed.\n\n**Why it matters**\n\nThe Plan protects the Shire’s economic base (agriculture and forestry) while guarding against land-use conflicts—such as housing estates encroaching on farms or irrigation damaging the Macquarie Marshes. It ensures essential services (water, sewerage, roads) are available before development proceeds."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"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"},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The plan has been amended over 40 times since its original commencement in December 2012, strongly indicating that its scope, permitted uses, development standards, or mapped areas have changed from the original intent. The high frequency of amendments (averaging roughly 3-4 per year) suggests ongoing and potentially significant evolution of the plan's content, though the specific nature of each change cannot be determined from the metadata alone."},"complexity_factors":["The actual substantive content of the plan (land use tables, zone maps, development standards) is not included in the provided text — only metadata and version history is shown, limiting full analysis","Local Environmental Plans are inherently complex documents involving zoning maps, land use tables, development standards, and local provisions that interact with state-level planning policies","Over 40 separate versions/amendments since 2012 means the law has evolved significantly, creating complexity for anyone trying to determine what applied at a particular point in time","Operates under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, requiring readers to cross-reference state legislation to fully understand the plan's operation","Standard instrument format still allows for local variations and additional provisions specific to Warren, adding a layer of local complexity on top of the standard template","Interacts with multiple other planning instruments including State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) that can override or modify its provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"The Warren Local Environmental Plan 2012 is the rulebook for how land in the Warren (NSW) area can be used and developed. It affects property owners, residents, businesses, farmers and developers by defining permitted uses, zone rules and what needs development consent. It sets limits such as building heights, minimum lot sizes, heritage protections and environmental constraints (flood, biodiversity). The plan has been updated many times; the current version has been in force since 19 September 2025."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012","history":"/api/acts/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012/history","analysis":"/api/acts/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/warren-local-environmental-plan-2012/documents"}}