Dungog Shire Council: Planning : Small Business Guides

Small Business Guides

This guideline / information is designed to assist home-based and small businesses to become established or expand within Dungog Shire Council’s Local Government Area. The Council is supportive of home-based and small businesses; however it is necessary to ensure the highest standard of amenity is maintained within our rural and urban areas.

Council has adopted policies, systems, and procedures to reduce preparation time of development applications and streamline the in-house approval process to minimise time and costs to small business operators.

Before lodging a DA we encourage you to consult with Council's staff to ensure that all relevant issues are addressed and sufficient information is provided. Pre-DA consultation is considered to be important as it provides the opportunity for Council staff to direct applicants to the relevant components of the guides.

This can save applicants much time and expense. Council's Town Planning staff can generally be contacted on (02) 4995 7777 between 8.45am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Development Applications - Fees & Charges

- 15 Oct 2007

The Environmental Planning & Assessment Act requires Council to charge fees for processing a Development Application. For some developments Council will also levy contributions towards the cost of providing infrastructure and facilities.

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Construction Certificate - 15 Oct 2007
If your proposal involves construction work such as buildings, or roads and drainage in a subdivision, obtaining development consent is the first step in the approval process. In addition to development consent, before any building or construction work commences, a Construction Certificate is also required more ..

Planning Documents for Dungog Shire - 15 Oct 2007
In preparing your development application you will need to take into consideration the following documents that set the policies for planning and development in Dungog Shire. These documents are available on Council's website www.dungog.nsw.gov.au or can be inspected at Council Offices in Dungog.

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Approval from Government Authorities - 15 Oct 2007
Some development proposals, because of their nature, also require an approval, license or permit, from another State Agency or Department, before Council can approve the Development Application. The requirements to refer a Development Application to a Government Authority are listed in Section 91 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. These development proposals are classed as 'Integrated Development' more ..

Heritage - 15 Oct 2007
Dungog Shire has a very interesting and rich heritage, which contributes to the fabric and appeal of the Shire. The planning regulations for the Shire, recognise the importance of the heritage base of the area and are designed to protect and enhance items and sites of heritage significance. A number of studies have been undertaken to identify and assess Aboriginal and European heritage sites, buildings and places of significance within the Shire. more ..

Consulting Rooms and Offices - 16 Oct 2007

You can operate a business from home provided that:

Your business is small scale, causes minimal impact on the amenity of the area and meets the definition of 'Home Employment',

and

Your home is located in an area that is zoned to allow 'Home Employment'. Home Employment is permitted in most areas of the Shire, but is not allowed in areas zoned Employment 4(a), Special Uses 5(a) or Recreation 6(a).

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Cabins & Farmstays - 16 Oct 2007
In Dungog Shire, Holiday Cabins are permitted in areas zoned Rural 1(a), Village 2(v), Business 3(a) and Transition 9(a). Holiday Cabins can only be used to provide short stay accommodation for visitors to the area. more ..

Restaurant/Cafe/Coffee Shop - 16 Oct 2007
In Dungog Shire, Cafés and Coffee Shops are classed as 'Restaurants'. A 'Restaurant' is defined as a building or place where the main function is to provide food for people to consume on the premise. A restaurant may be licensed to sell alcohol. more ..

Hair, Beauty & Skin Penetration - 16 Oct 2007
There are a number of options available for establishing a hair, beauty and/or skin penetration business in Dungog Shire - it depends on the type and size of the business. more ..

Manufacturing - 16 Oct 2007
There are a number of options available for establishing a small manufacturing business in Dungog Shire - it depends on the type and size of the business.

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Vehicle Repairs & Services - 16 Oct 2007
There are a number of options available for establishing an automotive business – it depends on the type and size of the business. more ..

Intensive Agriculture - 16 Oct 2007
Dungog is a rural shire and Council encourages the establishment of new farming activities. Within the Shire, farming is divided into 'Agriculture' and 'Intensive Agriculture'. more ..

Catteries & Kennels - 16 Oct 2007

In Dungog Shire, kennels and catteries and the breeding of cats and dogs are classified as "Intensive Agriculture". With the consent of Council, kennels and catteries may be established in areas in the Shire depending on their zoning.

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