Rural Lands Steering Committee appointed following expression of interest campaign

COUNCIL has endorsed the appointment of three independent community representatives to its Rural Lands Steering Committee following an expression of interest campaign.

The Rural Lands Steering Committee was originally formed in September 2019, however the Rural Lands Strategy was placed on hold and the committee ceased meeting.

At its June 2025 meeting, Council agreed to reactivate the Committee and launch an expressions of interest campaign to recruit new members.

The purpose of the Rural Lands Steering Committee is to provide strategic direction and advance the Rural Lands Strategy by reviewing its land use planning approaches and methodologies underpinning zoning, minimum lot sizes and other controls.

It will provide input to Dungog Shire Council on the rural lands strategy from rural communities and representatives from industries in the rural sector.

Following the receipt of ten eligible applications, submissions were assessed by a panel of Council officers using a documented evaluation matrix that balanced technical merit with diversity of perspective as per the evaluation table, with three people chosen for their experience, commitment to showing community growth and sustainability, and demonstrated experience in business and/or strategic planning.

Council congratulated Alan Smith, Alan Green and Noel Brown on their appointment, and thanked the other applicants and previous committee members for their interest and commitment to the Dungog community.