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Online Exhibition of Development Applications

Council has transitioned to a new Development Application (DA) exhibition portal which allows the public to view all DA documentation included within an application except personal details and signatures. Council is committed to ensuring that the community has opportunities to participate in the planning process. To view DAs currently on exhibition click here.

Lapsing of Development Consents

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 has been amended, changing the lapse dates of some development consents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a development consent was granted before 25 March 2020 that had not already lapsed, the lapsing date has been extended by two years. Any development consents granted after 25 March 2020 will continue to lapse five years after the date from which they were issued. A development consent for the erection of a building, subdivision of land or carrying out of work will lapse after five years unless physical works have commenced.

Local Heritage Grants Opening Soon

Applications for Council’s Local Heritage Grants open soon and will be able to be made for minor repairs and maintenance such as external painting, roofing, restoration of timber windows, and awning replacement across heritage sites in the region. The grants will require matched funding to be provided by the applicant. Keep an eye on Council's monthly Community News publication for further details. Sign up to the digital version of Community News here.

Changes to Physical Commencement of Developments

A new clause has recently been included into the EPA Regulations to clarify the preparatory works that will no longer constitute physical commencement of a consent. These works include:

creating a bore hole for soil testing
removing water or soil for testing
carrying out survey work, including the placing of pegs or other survey equipment
acoustic testing
removing vegetation as an ancillary activity
marking the ground to indicate how land is to be developed

For development consents issued on or after 15 May 2020, the above works cannot be relied on for a consent to be activated. For development consents issued before 15 May 2020, these types of works may still be sufficient to prevent the consent from lapsing. For any questions, contact Council’s Development Directorate on 6378 2850 or P&DAdmin@midwestern.nsw.gov.au

Fee Relief for Trade and Specialist Contractor Licences

New application and renewal fees for trade or specialist contractor licences are being waived or discounted by the NSW Government. New application and renewal fees for home building tradesperson certificates are being waived for one year. For those holding a trade or specialist contractor licence or a home building tradesperson certificate, no fees will be charged when the license or certificate is renewed online or in-person at Service NSW. For more information click here.

The Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020 has now commenced. The new legislation replaces the existing Building Professionals Act 2005 and the Building Professionals Regulation 2007, and seeks to:

detail and streamline the different classes of registration for certification work
prescribe the qualifications, skills and experience needed to register
clarify certifers’ roles and responsibilities with a Code of Conduct that sets professional standards and gives certainty around conflict of interest
better protect consumers by strengthening contract requirements for certification work
establish a new accreditation authority framework to formalise the regulation of regulated work, including work of competent fire safety practitioners

Online Portal for Local Businesses

Local businesses can now market their services and connect with suppliers and customers in a one-stop-shop. Mudgee Region Business is a free online platform where local businesses can:

create a listing to increase visibility
promote products and services
network with other businesses
access business only events
find new customers and suppliers
learn how to improve Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and drive web traffic
upload expert blog posts and business news to market to new customers
access procurement opportunities and Request For Quotes (RFQs)

Developed and funded by Council, the site is part of a series of initiatives and activities to support local business through the COVID-19 pandemic. To register on Mudgee Region Business, click here.

Council publishes the 'Doing Business in the Mid-Western Region' e-newsletter for business owners and residents who have an interest in the region's business and economic environment. To receive this e-newsletter, click the button below.

Council’s development team produces a quarterly newsletter for builders, developers and other stakeholders with an interest in development in the Mid-Western Region. Contact P&DAdmin@midwestern.nsw.gov.au with any questions.

Mid-Western Regional Council
86 Market Street I PO Box 156 Mudgee NSW 2850

T I 02 6378 2850 or 1300 765 002
F I 02 6378 2815
E I council@midwestern.nsw.gov.au
www.midwestern.nsw.gov.au

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Mid-Western Regional Council · PO Box 156 · Mudgee, NSW 2850 · Australia