SUBMISSION GUIDE
State Environmental Planning Policy Review 2015
Environmental safeguards on the NSW North Coast are again under attack from the NSW Government.
They want to abolish the North Coast Regional Environment Plan (REP) – a major cornerstone of
environmental protection in our region for nearly 30 years.
While the Government claims that the REP is superseded by newer Environmental Protection Zones (EZones), the Government has prevented Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle and Lismore Councils from
implementing their E-Zones, relegating them to limbo as “deferred matters”. SNCN are concerned that
the North Coast REP is being deleted before the “deferred matters” are resolved, in order to
retrospectively undermine the justification for the proposed E Zones, and leave many of our precious
natural values without crucial protection. This appears to be part of a concerted attack by the NSW
Government and the National Party on environmental protections in one of Australia’s and the world’s
biodiversity hotspots.
The SEPP Review is now open for public comment. Please take the time to write a short
submission, to again call for full protection of our most precious forests, wetlands and
wildlife habitats.
SUBMISSION IN 3 EASY STEPS
1. Use our template and key points (see below) to help write your submission
2. Go to http://planspolicies.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6839
3. Either upload your saved letter (near bottom of page) or copy and paste the text into the
'submission' box (also near bottom)
If you can’t submit online, mail your submission to: Director, Planning Frameworks GPO Box 39, Sydney,
NSW 2001
Submissions close Thursday, 9 July.
To see the full Review and supporting documents go to:
http://planspolicies.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6839
For more information on EZones go to: http://www.northcoastnature.org.au/category/learn-more
Email: info@northcoastnature.org.au| Web: http://www.northcoastnature.org.au/
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SUBMISSION TEMPLATE: Please copy and paste this text into a new document.
1. Place your personal details at the top of your letter and include the date
(Please note in your submission if you wish to have your personal details withheld)
Your Name
Your Street Address
Your Suburb and Postcode
Date
2. Address your submission to:
Director
Planning Frameworks
GPO Box 39
Sydney
NSW 2001
Dear Sir/Madam,
3. Include a subject line
Example
OBJECTION TO THE REPEAL OF THE NORTH COAST REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT PLAN
4. Include an introductory paragraph
Example
I am a resident of .... / I am a member of ... / I have experience in ... /
I welcome the opportunity to comment on the SEPP 2015 Review.
5. Outline your comments and concerns the repeal of the North Coast Regional Environment Plan.
Refer to key points below for help.
6. Sign your name at the bottom of the letter
Yours sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
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KEY SUBMISSION POINTS
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING POLICY REVIEW 2015
Below are some general comments to help you formulate your response. We encourage you to include
personal observations and put your opinions in your own words, to reduce the risk that the Government
will consider your thoughts as part of a form response. Thank you in advance.
Objection to the repeal of the North Coast REP

I strongly object to the repeal of the North Coast Regional Environmental Plan (1988) as this:
o
will remove key criteria used by Councils to identify the “deferred” environmental zones and
clauses, undermining the justification and future of much needed E Zones.
o
would leave key environmental values without adequate protection from inappropriate
development.

The North Coast REP needs to be retained in force until after the fate of the “deferred matters” is
determined and the E zones and environmental clauses are restored to far north coast Local
Environment Plans (LEPs).

I consider that the North Coast REP should not have been removed from deferred lands in the
Byron LGA, and should be re-applied until the zoning of the deferred areas is complete.

I reject the Department of Planning & Environment’s claim that “The underlying zones derived
from previous LEPs continue to apply in these areas and provide suitable protection
consistent with the REP”. This is clearly untrue, given that the older LEPs failed to provide
protection for many areas of environmental significance, because they were based on limited
data, with little systematic or comprehensive mapped data available on conservation values.
Justification for strong environmental protection

The forests of the North Coast of NSW have been identified as being of outstanding
international, national and state value for threatened biodiversity. Specifically, they:
o
encompass the heart of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage property.
o
are part of one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots because of their exceptional
species endemism and the threat of habitat loss.
o
form part of one of Australia’s 15 recognised biodiversity hotspots, the ‘Border
Ranges North and South (Queensland and New South Wales)’.
o
also contain the most plants and animals, including those threatened with extinction, in
New South Wales.

The region is recognised as a centrepiece of national tourism, as one of Australia’s15
‘National Landscapes’ – “places that capture the essence of our country - our most inspirational
environments offering world class natural and cultural experiences”. Tourism is a major driver of
the regional economy.

Too much has already been lost. There is a need to increase the area of native vegetation,
maintain and enhance linkages between remnant areas, and to ensure the retention and
enhancement of remnant vegetation.

In accordance with the North Coast REP, it is particularly important to identify the high
conservation values remaining in the and ensure they are appropriately zoned and protected.
Getting rid of the North Coast REP will make gaining needed protections harder, not easier.
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BACKGROUND
Environmental Protection Zones (E-Zones) provide fundamental protection for over 27 000 hectares of
the far north coast’s forests, wetlands and wildlife habitats. This includes nearly all our native vegetation
and wildlife habitats not protected in National Parks and makes up over 30% of our region’s natural
areas. Without protection, these unique areas are left vulnerable to destructive residential and tourism
developments proposed along our coast, and the expansion of coal seam gas, logging, mining and
intensive agriculture in our rural hinterland.
In late 2012 and after more than 10 years of extensive scientific investigations and consultation
with the community, industry and relevant government agencies - Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore &
Kyogle Councils were preparing to finalise their Local Environment Plans (LEPs). But the State
Government halted the process, saying these environmental assets should remain open for residential
and agricultural development, and initiated a review of environmental zones on the far north coast.
Following overwhelming community support for EZones to protect the region’s environmentally
sensitive areas, the interim Review supported the use of environmental zones and overlays in far
north coast Local Environmental Plans. Because the Government did not like the outcome, one and a
half years later E zones are still in limbo.
The North Coast Regional Environment Plan is identified as one of the key documents underpinning the
development of E Zones on the Far North Coast, and its repeal threatens the future of E Zones in the
region.
Environmental protection zones have protected our forests, wetlands and wildlife habitats for nearly 30
years. It is critical our community shows strong community support for North Coast REP and E Zones
now to ensure we get these much needed protections over the line.
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