What should new zonings for our district provide for?

Date: 11-Apr-08
Author: Carl Hoipo
Organisation: Progress
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Rather than critiquing the draft LEP, I am putting forward my ideas as to what new zonings should allow --

Home Occupations -- probably the most important economic use of property in this district in the foreseeable future. We have architects, engineers, accountants, solicitors, computer software designers, agents, valuers, publishers, international consultants etc etc working from home in this area at present, and the range and numbers is likely to grow. Working from home via the internet, fronting at an office one or two days a week, this is how I see many of our community working in the future, with Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter all within reasonable travelling distance.

The types of activities that Home Occupation people would like to do at home. Gardens, a few fruit trees and veggies, chooks, a pony or two. Perhaps some hobby farming activity - a few cows, olives, vineyard etc.

Commercial Farming -- Very few left trying to make a genuine living from the land here any more, but it should not be ruled out.

Retirement Living -- A large component of our community fall into this group. People able to take early retirement, still physically active, the hobby farming concept appeals to many of these. It would be good if there could be some health care services located within our community, some even propose a small retirement village would be good.

Services for the above -- The above could support a small set of building tradesmen and property maintenance services. Some of these could be considered home occupations, but some may need a base or shopfront for their services, materials etc.

A repair facility for tractors, mowers, chainsaws etc (even somewhere that you can buy new ones) makes sense to have near to where we live.
General Stores, petrol sales, maybe even hardware -- some of our Solicitors, Accountants etc might like to work from a shopfront location rather than from home.

Some health care services in our community would be good.

A bit of Tourism -- Some of our incoming new community look for business activities that capitalize on, or complement, the beauty of the district, or offer the peace and tranquility that parts of our district provides. Many of these possibilities can be supported, but can lead to tension with the quiet enjoyment that those who have come for retirement living want. Galleries, artists workshops, health retreats etc could fit in with a minimum of stress.

If I am anywhere near the mark with the description above, of the community that we have, and / or would like, the proposed zonings are far too restrictive. Perhaps a Rural Scenic zone would suit our aspirations, provided that it specified the activities mentioned above as being allowable without consent, or permissible with consent.

Carl Hoipo
9. 4. 08

Comments (5)

Posted: 11-Apr-08 23:25 by Peter Firminger Permalink

What he said! Spot on Carl.

Posted: 19-Apr-08 20:26 by Denise Woodburn Permalink

Also spot on, very well expressed.

Posted: 20-Apr-08 09:16 by john hannemann Permalink

What a great article Carl.Planning Depts should have an eye on the FUTURE not the PAST.The more people working from home ,the less cars on our road,s,the less wasted time,energy,polution,ware and tare on the road system ect ect ect.Governments local and state cannot maintain the road system at pressent let alone into the future.I bet there was not one Planner at the 20/20 talk fest in Canberra this weekend.

Posted: 22-Apr-08 14:51 by Ray Annis-Brown Permalink

A good summary & wish list. Unfortunately the DoP opposes what it considers uneconomic 'dispersed development'& refuses to acknowledge week-enders & hobby farming as legitimate use of land in the Wollombi Valley.In support the Dep of Agric. consider it'residential' development with detrimental impact on agric. pursuits. For years people have wanted shops, bus services, doctors, post office, banks etc.Won't happen without more people.

Posted: 23-Apr-08 10:10 by Robyn Lamond Permalink

Carl, thank you for starting the dialogue of how the future can work in the Wollombi Valley. Defining how it works in this small rural community will help the bureaucrats appreciate the input from small communities in protecting ecology, culture and heritage (the catch phrases being bandied about) and in providing a viable level of services.

People who choose to live in the Valley prefer to do without the urban level of services and the accompanying rat race. We have the imagination to provide solutions to the challenges we face as a small rural community, especially as fuel and food prices increase and the baby boom plays out in Wollombi.

Weekenders, people working from home (many using the communication technology now available), small agricultural enterprise, services to a small community and the many constructive interests of retirees in the Valley all combine to make a viable economy for a small village just 40 minutes to 1 hour from every conceivable service requirement.

Let's work on this together, from all age groups, to define our future and help the bureaucrats appreciate that we don't all fit their chosen pidgeon holes and allow this unique community and location to thrive with a healthy lifestyle, protecting the natural and cultural heritage and providing business opportunities for tourism and village services.

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