The NSW Department of Planning and Environment have implemented new Employment Zone Planning Reforms as a means to simplify the planning framework for business, commercial and industrial land uses.

Background information on the reforms can be found at the following website https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/employment-zones-reform.

The new Employment Zones have commenced with effect 26 April 2023. The impact on the Cessnock Local Environmental Plan is minimal with existing zones being renamed (see below) and there are some very minor changes to the land uses. There are also additional permitted use provisions for ‘dwellings houses’ over the former B1 Neighbourhood Centre zones.