ZoneScout

Where can you build Recreation areas in NSW?

“Recreation areas” is a defined term in the NSW planning system, and every council’s Local Environmental Plan decides which zones allow it. Across 147 council LEPs it is permitted in 31 zones and prohibited in 24.

Zone by zone, across 147 NSW councils

Each row counts councils, not properties. “Without consent” means no application is needed; “with consent” means a development application. “Can’t say” is not a ban — those councils have not addressed this use in that zone at all.

ZoneWithout consentWith consentProhibitedCan’t sayCouncils with this zone
RE1 Public Recreation—134——134
RE2 Private Recreation—125——125
E1 Local Centre7114——121
RU1 Primary Production—1007—107
RU5 Village—100——100
R5 Large Lot Residential—9610—106
E3 Productivity Support—95——95
E4 General Industrial29329—124
R1 General Residential2896—97
MU1 Mixed Use—87——87
R2 Low Density Residential2796—87
R3 Medium Density Residential1685—74
C3 Environmental Management—6619—85
E2 Commercial Centre—65——65
RU2 Rural Landscape1471—49
C4 Environmental Living—4615—61
RU4 Primary Production Small Lots—468—54
SP3 Tourist—446—50
C2 Environmental Conservation—4051—91
W2 Recreational Waterways13919—59
W1 Natural Waterways13032—63
R4 High Density Residential—291—30
E5 Heavy Industrial—1511—26
SP4 Enterprise—122—14
RU6 Transition—113—14
SP2 Infrastructure1101231135
W4 Working Waterfront—914—23
SP1 Special Activities2670—78
RU3 Forestry—774—81
W3 Working Waterways—28—10
SP5 Metropolitan Centre—1——1
C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves——123—123

How those answers were reached. 599 of the “prohibited” answers and 423 of the “with consent” answers come from the zone’s catch-all row — the scheme does not name this use in that zone, but it says what happens to everything it has not named. That is a real answer, not a guess, and it is the reason a count of explicit listings would tell you the opposite in some zones.

What this page cannot tell you

Which zone your land is in, and whether your project is characterised as a recreation areas in the first place. The first is a question about an address; the second is a planning judgement. Check an address for the zone and the overlays on it.

Frequently asked questions

Are recreation areas allowed in every council in New South Wales?

No. Each council’s Local Environmental Plan has its own land use table, and they differ. This page counts, zone by zone, how many of the 147 NSW council LEPs permit it, prohibit it, or say nothing either way.

My zone shows a number under “Can’t say” — what does that mean?

It means those councils neither name this use in that zone nor have a catch-all row covering everything they have not named. It is not a ban and it is not permission. Only an explicit listing in the prohibited rung, or a catch-all that prohibits, is a prohibition.

Does this tell me whether my project counts as recreation areas?

No, and that is deliberate. Deciding which defined term your project is called is a planning judgement, not something this page can do for you. Search your address for the zone, then talk to a planner about how the project is characterised.

Sources

Last reviewed: the published LEPs. Rules can change — verify with your council before starting work.

General guidance only — not professional planning advice. Land use tables change as councils amend their LEPs; always confirm against the current instrument for your land.

Talk to a town planner in New South Wales

This page covers the general rules. A qualified town planner can tell you what applies to your actual block — the zone, the overlays and the approval path — before you spend money on drawings.

  • Qualified, practising town planners
  • Advice on your property, not a generic rule
  • No cost, no obligation

Free planning consultation

A qualified town planner will be in touch within 1 business day.

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry. We never sell your data. See our Privacy Policy.