The Rural Lands Study Planning Proposal implements the Short Term recommendations of the Hornsby Rural Lands Study that amend the Hornsby LEP and DCP. On 14 February 2024, Council endorsed the finalisation of the Planning Proposal and on 10 May 2024, the Planning Proposal and accompanying Hornsby DCP amendments were made.

Amendments to the Hornsby LEP introduce new development controls that:

• Protect primary production in the rural area by amending the objectives of selected rural land use zones to support value-adding activities for agriculture.
• Minimise land use conflict in rural areas by requiring new subdivisons or dwellings to consider adjoining land uses.
• Clarify existing controls for attached dual occupancies under Clause 6.9 of the Hornsby LEP.
• Remove planning controls restricting the subdivision of rural allotments with access handles by allowing the area of an access handle to be counted in the minimum lot size calculation.

Amendments to the Hornsby DCP introduce new development controls that:

• Protect rural character by requiring development along main roads to be consistent with the surrounding landscape.
• Ensure that extractive industry sites rehabilitate landscapes after they leave in accordance with surrounding landscape character and best practice principles of environmental management.
• Update planning controls for rural subdivisions so they align with the changes proposed under the planning proposal.