The proposed amendment applies to the Greater Taree, Gloucester and Great Lakes development control plans and is on display until Friday, December 14. 

MidCoast Council’s Roger Busby said the council has identified a need to provide clear guidelines for developers applying to establish MHEs in the region.

“We have heard from some of our communities with concerns about the development of MHEs in their neighbourhoods,” Mr Busby said.

“We have listened and as a result, we’re proposing to amend our current development control plans to establish quality standards that MHE developers will be required to meet in our region”.

The proposed provisions provide guidance for MHE developers by outlining council’s objectives around this form of housing, providing design controls and establishing criteria around lodging a development application.

As well as assisting developers, the amendment will aid planning staff in the assessment of MHE applications and awareness of council’s requirements relating to MHEs among the general community.

“The focus is very much on outcomes that provide for residential amenity and availability of services”, Mr Busby said.

“Locational considerations and off-site impacts will also form part of the updated planning controls”.

In drafting the new MHE provisions, council’s planning team has enlisted the services of independent consultants Perception Planning, based on their extensive experience with MHE developments in other council areas.

“There has been significant interest in some parts of our region, driven by specific development applications, so we are encouraging everyone to view the proposed amendments and have their say,” Mr Busby said.

To view the documentation, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/HYS, where you can also make a submission.