WHERE CAN I ESTABLISH AN AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS IN DUNGOG SHIRE?
There are a number of options available for establishing an automotive business - it depends on the type and size of the business.

• If you are planning to sell petrol and other petroleum products, your business is classified as an 'Automotive nnnService' and you can only operate in areas zoned Rural Enterprise 1(e), Village 2(v), Business 3(a) or nnnEmployment 4(a).
  
• If your business is small and will have no impact on your neighbours you may be able to operate from home nnnprovided that:
  - You live on the premise
  - The building you use for the business is no larger than 60square metres
  - You don't employ more than 3 people who don't live on the premise
  - Your business causes minimal interference to the amenity of the area, and
  - Your business is in character with the surrounding area.

If the proposal meets all the above criteria then your business will be classed as 'Home Employment' and is permissible with Council consent in all areas of the Shire except areas zoned Special Uses 5(a) and Recreation 6(a).

• If your business does not meet the criteria for 'Home Employment' then you are classified as 'Industry' and nnncan only operate in areas where 'Employment' uses are permitted, namely in areas zoned Rural Enterprise nnn1(e), Village 2(v), Business 3(a) or Employment 4(a).
  
• If you are proposing to dismantle or 'wreck' vehicles, then your business can only be located in an nnnEmployment 4(a) zone.

Yes… The establishment of an automotive business requires Council approval. You need to lodge a Development Consent Application with Council. You cannot commence operating your business until Council has granted Development Consent.

If you are proposing to undertake building works you must apply and have approved, a Construction Certificate before you can commence any work. (see Construction Certificate Information Sheet).

Before you start preparing plans, it is recommended that you have a Pre-lodgement meeting with Council's Economic Development Officer. At this meeting Council will ask you about your proposal and the amount of construction and site works likely to be involved. Council may provide advice on:

• The factors that you need to consider in designing your buildings and operating you business.
  
• The issues that you must address in your Development Application.
  
• Whether your proposal is 'Integrated Development', and requires approval from a State Government Authority.

Council will also advise you about when to apply for a Construction Certificate and how you go about this.

Please bring details of the property you have selected and your proposal to this meeting. Preliminary concept plans and some photos of the property and surrounding properties would also help.

WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER IN PREPARING MY DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION?

In preparing your Development Application and accompanying Statement of Environmental Effects you need to answer all relevant questions on the Development Application form. The requirements for a Development Application are set-out in Part A - Section 2 of Dungog DCP1. For Automotive Businesses, the specific information that you need to include with your development application is summarised below.

You will also need to consider the requirements of:

• Dungog Development Control Plan 1 - Industrial Development - If your business is classified as 'Industry'.
  
• Dungog Development Control Plan 1 - Erection of Rural Sheds - If you are proposing to erect a shed in a rural area.
  
• Dungog Shire Car Parking Policy
• Copies of these documents are available from Council's website: www.dungog.nsw.gov.au.

• Location and description of the premise that you will be operating from.
  
• The type of business (eg auto electrician, panel beater).
  
• The activities you will be undertaking (eg panel beating, spray painting, trim repairs, detailing).
  
• Hours of operation including any proposed weekend and night-time activities.
  
• Whether you need or plan to store vehicles on-site and if so, how many vehicles.
  
• The number of staff that will be employed and the maximum number of staff that are likely to be on site at any one time.
  
• How many vehicles per day will be on-site for servicing

If your proposal is classed as 'Industry' your development must meet the design requirements of DCP1 - Industrial Development.
For all businesses you need to provide the following information:

• Site plan showing the layout of the buildings and structures, setback from the boundaries and the location of your neighbour's buildings.
  
• Building plans showing what the building and structures will look like and the materials that they will be constructed from.
  
• Landscape plan
  
• Proposed fencing and how you will secure your site and screen your business to minimise visual impacts.
  
• If the sewer is not available, details of the septic system to be used including the type of system and its capacity.
  
• Drainage system, particularly how you will control potential pollutants.
  
• Access to the property and where staff, customers and delivery vehicles will park.
  
• Any proposed signage.

You must demonstrate that your business will not impact negatively on the environment or your neighbours or detract from the amenity of the area. Specific issues that you must address include:

• Noise - whether your business will generate noise and how you plan to comply with relevant noise regulations. Council may ask you to provide an Acoustic Engineers Report
  
• Visual Impact - how your operation will be screened from your neighbours and any public road or space.
  
• Waste disposal - How oil, chemicals, contaminated water, chemicals, car parts, old vehicles etc will be stored on site and then disposed of. You may be required to enter into a Trade Waste Agreement with Council.
  
• Odours / Fumes - how you propose to control odours / fumes that may be emitted from your business.
  
• Lighting - the yard and security lighting proposed. Lighting must not impact on neighbours.
  
• Vibration - details of any activities that will generate vibration and an assessment of the potential impacts.
  
• Traffic and Parking - the estimated volume of traffic that will be generated by your business (staff, customers etc) and the potential impact on traffic and parking in the surrounding area.

• Some automotive businesses are potentially polluting. You will need to comply with the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.