Orange City Council has placed a draft Planning Proposal for Amendments to Orange Local Environmental Plan 2011 (LEP) and Orange Development Control Plan 2004 (DCP) on public exhibition for comment.
The amendments are to allow consideration of boundary adjustments in rural and conservation zones subject to a development application that will allow for consideration of primary production and ecological values during the assessment. The amendment would let boundary adjustments proceed with consent in zones RU1 Primary Production and C3 Environmental Management.
To close these gaps and align Orange with accepted regional practice, this Planning Proposal seeks to amend the LEP by inserting a new Clause 4.2D. Mirroring clauses already operating in Bathurst, Blayney and Cabonne, the amendment would let boundary adjustments proceed with consent in zones RU1 Primary Production and C3 Environmental Management provided no extra lots or dwelling entitlements arise and land-use conflict is avoided. Parallel updates to the Orange DCP will:
1 Introduce numeric and qualitative criteria – such as a sliding-scale "minor change" threshold – to guide when a realignment may proceed as exempt development, and
2 Refresh buffer and separation-distance standards to reflect contemporary agricultural guidelines.
By drafting the new clause and delivering a clear, consistent and strategically aligned pathway for genuine boundary adjustments, Council will safeguard the primary-production objectives of Orange's rural lands but still allow for logical adjustments that can enhance land management and better protect ecological values.
The planning proposal will be on public exhibition from Monday, 19 January 2026 to Monday, 16 February 2026. During this period, any person may make written submission on this development proposal to Council.
The exhibition documents are available online on this page (see links below) and are also available for viewing at Council's Customer Service Counter - ground floor, Civic Centre - corner of Byng Street and Lords Place, Orange - during ordinary office hours, being 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
1 – Department's Letter to Council
4 – Appendix A – Case Law Summary
5 – Appendix B – Summary of LEP Clauses by Other Non-Metropolitan Councils
6 – Appendix C – Draft LEP Clause for Inclusion in Orange LEP 2011
7 – Appendix D – Proposed Supporting Changes to Orange DCP 2004
