New zoning changes endorsed by Lismore City Council will unlock fresh opportunities for small business, tourism and creative enterprise in a bid to support responsible growth and job creation across the city.
From artisan food and drinks, pottery studios or small-batch food production, the amendments create real possibilities for landowners to activate their properties in sustainable, job-creating ways.
The amendments to the Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP) will allow artisan food and drink industries and creative industries to operate with consent in the RU1 Primary Production zone.
The RU1 Primary Production zone covers large parts of Lismore's rural hinterland, including agricultural areas where farming, horticulture and nature-based tourism are already active.
Creative industries will also be permissible with consent in the E1 Local Centre and E2 Commercial Centre zones, opening the door for artists, makers and entrepreneurs to set up studios and small-scale operations in our urban areas.
E1 Local Centre and E2 Commercial Centre zones are in Lismore CBD and Goonellabah, where retail, community services and mixed-use business activity are already concentrated.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg welcomed the decision as a practical and forward-looking move.
"This is exactly the kind of proactive planning our community needs," he said.
"It allows innovation, supports jobs and keeps the integrity of each zone intact.
"If you're a landowner in one of these zones, I encourage you to take a fresh look at what's possible. There may be more opportunities than you realise and now's the time to explore them."
One of the most significant updates involves the controls relating to Rural and Nature-Based Tourism development. Previously, small-scale tourism ventures could only be run by the landowner living onsite.
The updated controls allow up to 100 patrons on site at any one time, making it possible to employ staff and grow operations sustainably.
Strategic Planning Coordinator Jamie van Iersel said the changes are designed to support real economic potential in compatible, low-impact ways.
"These changes are about practical flexibility," she said.
"They let people set up small businesses, employ staff and activate their land for things like food production, studios or eco-tourism, while still maintaining compatibility with neighbouring uses.
"This aligns with state planning provisions and opens up real potential, especially along the Rail Trail and in rural zones where demand for eco and agri-tourism is growing."
The amendments also fix a technical error in the E1 Local Centre zone objectives and streamline tourism assessment by refining relevant planning clause language.
With Council endorsement now complete, staff will begin working with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to finalise the legislative changes in the coming weeks.
