Background

Rural Dwellings

Residential development in rural zones takes many forms, including dwellings which complement the use of the land for primary production purposes, and rural-residential living on smaller rural lots. Residential development has the potential to create conflict with other land uses in rural zones if buildings are inappropriately sited and designed. All development should take into account the inherent rural character of a locality and be responsive to that character and the local landscape qualities.  

Outbuildings 

Outbuildings are associated with rural dwellings and area an integral part of rural life and activities. Outbuildings should be designed and sited to complement rural character. Inappropriate uses and activities are not permitted.

Objectives

1. Ensure that development does not detract from the rural landscape, scenic quality, heritage value, nature conservation significance or agricultural productivity of rural areas;
2. Provide separation between residential uses and noise generating sources;
3. Provide buffers between residential buildings and land uses to minimise the potential for land use conflict and additional pressure on agriculture or other rural activities;
4. Ensure that external finishes used have minimal detrimental impact on the visual amenity of an area; and
5. Encourage consideration of all the rural components of development such as fencing, outbuildings, driveways and landscaping in the design of the proposed development.

Controls

1. Buildings in all rural zones must provide a minimum front setback of 20 metres.
2. Buildings in all rural zones must provide a minimum side and rear setback of 5 metres.
3. Controls 1 and 2 apply unless existing land uses and operations impact on the proposed development, therefore larger setbacks may be required to buffer new dwellings.
4. Dwellings must be located to minimise the removal of existing vegetation.
5. Buildings should be visually unobtrusive in the overall landscape.
6. Buildings should complement the characteristics of the landform.
7. Cut and fill must be kept to a minimum.
8. The roofline of buildings should reflect the land profile within the vicinity of the development.
9. All outbuildings must be ancillary to an approved use on the land on which it is situated.
10. External wall cladding to outbuildings must be of masonry, metal sheet or other approved material compatible with authorised existing development on the site and the character of the immediate environment.
11. Roof cladding to outbuildings must be of tiles, metal sheet or other approved material compatible with authorised existing development on the site and the character of the immediate environment.
12. The colours of roof and wall cladding must be generally low reflective neutral/earth tones, compatible with authorised existing development on the site and environmentally sensitive, to minimise any possible adverse impact on the amenity of the area.
13. All outbuildings must be provided with appropriate complementary landscaping to minimise the environmental impact on adjoining premises and the area generally.
14. Land zoned E4 Environmental Living with a minimum lot size of 1500m2 or less, may use the minimum setbacks for outbuildings within Part 4 of this DCP.
15. The maximum floor area for rural outbuildings not used for the purposes of agriculture is 100m2.
16. On unsewered sites, effluent and household waste water is to be disposed in accordance with Council’s Sewage Management Strategy.
17. Access driveways are to be of trafficable width to allow for passing vehicles, manoeuvring and turning space, and bush fire access including emergency and service vehicles.
18. Attached Dual Occupancy development, where permitted by an Environmental Planning Instrument, the dwellings must be physically attached under the same roofline and have the general appearance of a dwelling-house when viewed from the primary street frontage. Structures such as carports with skillion roofs, pergolas, covered awnings and the like are not acceptable as a mode of attachment.
19. Detached Dual Occupancy and Secondary Dwelling development, where permitted by an Environmental Planning Instrument, the architectural treatment and building materials of both dwellings in the development must be compatible. Mirror reversed or replica dwelling design is not acceptable form of development.
20. Handle widths to battleaxe lots in rural areas are to be a minimum of 6 metres with a maximum length of 100 metres. A handle may serve two lots, provided there are reciprocal rights of way. An all weather pavement surface constructed to Council’s standards is to be provided within each handle.