C3

Environmental Management

Part of: Conservation Zones

Protects, manages and restores areas with special ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values while permitting low-impact rural and tourist activities.

Property-specific answer

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Tip: combine your planning report with a Title Search to surface any covenants, easements or Section 173 agreements that might affect your proposal.

Key Controls and Considerations

  • Limited rural and tourism uses with consent
  • Dwelling entitlement may apply per LEP schedule
  • Common in environmentally sensitive coastal and rural areas

How NSW zones work in practice

The Standard Instrument LEP gives each zone a set of objectives and a Land Use Table that lists uses as permitted without consent, permitted with consent (DA required), or prohibited. Each council's LEP also sets minimum lot size, height of buildings, and floor space ratio (FSR) on standard maps.

Zone controls are only one layer. Your project must also comply with relevant SEPPs and LEP overlays, the council's DCP, and any title restrictions (covenants, easements, 88B Instruments).

What does this zone mean for your specific property?

A NSW Planning Insight sets out the C3 controls, the approval pathway and what you can build on your property. For complex matters, speak to a NSW planner.

For DAs, modifications or appeals, talk to our NSW partner firm.