Lismore can expect to see more tourist accommodation cropping up around the countryside following planning scheme changes expected to be approved at next week’s Lismore City Council meeting.

The changes are intended to allow for small scale tourism development such as bed and breakfast accommodation, camping grounds, caravan parks, cellar door premises, eco-tourist facilities, restaurants and cafes and farm stay accommodation on rural properties

Since the introduction of the Lismore Local Environment Plan 2012, the only rural tourist accommodation allowed has either had to be eco-tourist facilities or farm stays. 

“Over the ensuing years, demand from proponents seeking to develop tourist cabins, which are currently prohibited if the land is not part of a working farm or located on land with ecological values, has been experienced by Council’s development assessment team,” staff say in a report to go to Tuesday’s meeting.

Staff say the proposed new LEP clause aims to ensure tourism development in rural and natural areas is small scale to minimise impact on agricultural production and scenic or environmental values.

The modified plans will allow up to five bedrooms for farm stay accommodation and between three and eight bedrooms for other forms of tourist accommodation depending on the size of the property.

Each unit of accommodation must be less than 45 square metres with one or two bedrooms and optional kitchenette and bathroom and an external floor area of up to an additional 15 square metres.

“The Clause contains a requirement to limit rural and nature-based tourism development to land with a dwelling entitlement and for the principal owner to reside onsite, which also reduces the potential for land use conflict,” staff say.

Backpacker, serviced and hotel- or motel-style accommodation are specifically prohibited under the new plans.

The planning scheme amendments received initial approval from the council last year and have since received sign off from the State Government and gone out for community consultation.

Staff have recommended that the council give final sign off to the changes at Tuesday night’s council meeting.