What the heck is a ‘conservation zone’?
There has been a significant amount of change to our planning system of late, which led the current NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to say 'the concept of planning reform fatigue is real'.
With this in mind, we thought it prudent to answer a burning question that has surely kept you up at night:
‘What the heck is a conservation zone and where did it come from?’
A ‘conservation zone’ is simply a renaming of what was previously known as an ‘Environmental Zone’ in the Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Order 2006.
This change came into effect on 1 December 2020 and automatically amended local environmental plans (and some state environmental plans) across New South Wales – but as at the date of this email, this change hasn’t been updated in all environmental planning instruments on the NSW legislation website.
Why the need for the change?
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment explains that the change was made to clear up confusion and to reflect the ‘conservation’ land use function more clearly. The focus, purpose, and intent of these zones is clearly signalled.1
So there you have it, you can rest easy and there is no longer any need to be confused!
NSW Department of Panning and Environment, “Environment zones are being renamed as ‘conservation zones’”, 28 January 2022, https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Environment-and-Heritage/Environmental-zones
Want to know more on Conservation Zones
Get in touch with our NSW Planning & Environment team
Keep up to date with our legal insights and events
Sign upRecent articles

New tax relief measures for build-to-rent – what investors need to know
New Federal tax relief measures provide greater incentives for investment.

Major Foreign Investment Review Board guidance notes updates - what you need to know
There are stricter rules for foreign persons wanting to purchase residential property in Australia.

PFAS: What Victorian councils need to know
A summary of what Victorian councils need to know about PFAS.

Big Victorian building industry changes proposed with impacts on regulators, contractors and developers alike
The primary focus is the protection of purchasers of buildings.
Partner
Sector Leader - State Government NSW
Sydney