While the review was intended to be an administrative change-over to relabel land use zones and bring them into line with the rest of the state, it has opened up a loophole for property owners to have their land usage changed without going through the normal processes.

Shoalhaven City Council is considering rezoning submissions from more than 70 applicants across the city including many in the Milton-Ulladulla district.

Councillor Amanda Findley is concerned that some land owners were attempting to “up-zone” their land with the “hope that it will go through unnoticed as part of a mammoth planning document”.

She said areas of coastal land in Mollymook and rural properties in Milton were among those being considered for zone changes which would increase density or permit different land uses.

“These changes could take place without neighbours being notified or the community being aware,” she explained.

Mayor Paul Green told the Times the SLEP review only comes up every 30 years and was a “process for land owners and businesses across the Shoalhaven to look at their current situation and consider the futuristic needs of their land”.

He said the administrative review was a transfer of zoning labels to “best fit” the current land use, but also looked at correcting anomalies and allowed some zone changes.

“Some people are making good of the opportunity and requesting zone changes for their land, but not all submissions will be approved.”

Cr Green said some submissions would be put aside and dealt with on their individual merits at a later date, while others would be rejected.

“We have to consider these zoning changes and whether they are adding or taking away from the village amenity,” he said.

“As a council we have a pretty good idea of what the community wants and what individuals dream of for their properties.”

He said the process was “open” and the NSW Department of Planning would be “casting its eye over any proposed changes” before they go out for public comment.

With a two per cent annual population growth in the Shoalhaven, Cr Green has questioned where people will live and said considerations had to be made to opening up subdivisions and increasing densities.

“You’ve got to be sensible,” he said.

Cr Findley told the Times that, while the upzoning attempts were permitted as part of the SLEP review, she believes they are “slightly underhanded”.

“It’s not right,” she said.

“That’s why we have open and transparent Development Control Plans (DCPs) where people can have control and have a say about land use in their area.”

Cr Findley said she was concerned that some land owners were trying to upzone their rural land to allow future residential development or subdivisions in an effort to increase the value of their properties.

“These kind of zone changes effect everyone and need to go out to the community for comment,” she said.

Cr Findley believes the SLEP review should involve administrative changes only, and not change land use.

“Council should be disciplined enough to do an administrative change now and, at a future point in time, make strategic planning changes that incorporate the community.”

The draft SLEP was put on exhibition last year, with more than 3000 comments received.

Council last night continued debating the comments and submissions, with the review process expected to take another week or more.

Once recommendations are made, the draft SLEP will be submitted to the Department of Planning before again going out for public comment.

Anyone interested in the proposed zoning changes should attend a meeting of their local Community Consultative Body (CCB) such as the Ulladulla and Districts Community Forum or their village progress association.

All properties in the Shoalhaven and their current and proposed zonings, including land use, can be viewed online at www.slep2009.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

Cr Green said, while the SLEP may seem like a large and confusing document, the website was easy for people to navigate and understand.

“If people want to see the zoning of their land or their neighbour’s land and the uses permitted on their land, it’s easy for them to see using the colour-coded tables and maps,” he added.