Fresh opportunities with new Lismore zoning

LISMORE City Council has endorsed zoning amendments that will open up new opportunities for tourism, small businesses, and the creative industries.

The changes create an ability for landowners to activate their properties in job-creating and sustainable ways.

Strategic Planning Coordinator Jamie van Iersel said the changes were designed to support economic potential in compatible, low-impact ways.

“These changes are about practical flexibility,” van Iersel said.

“They let people set up small businesses, employ staff, and activate their land for things like food production, studios, and 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 agritourism is growing.”

The Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP) amendments will allow artisan food, drink, and creative industries to operate with consent in the RU1 Primary Production zone.

Creative industries will also be permissible with consent in the E1 Local Centre and E2 Commercial Centre zones, allowing artists and art makers to set up studios and small-scale operations in urban areas.

A significant update involves controls on Rural and Nature-Based Tourism development, where previously, only onsite landowners could run small tourism ventures.

Amended controls will now allow up to 100 patrons on site, making it possible to grow operations sustainably.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the change was the type of proactive planning the community needed.

“It allows innovation, supports jobs and keeps the integrity of each zone intact,” Cr Krieg said.

“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.”

Staff will begin working with the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure in the coming weeks to finalise the legislative changes.