In what was described as a “truly landmark development”, Council approved the insertion of an SP3 Tourism Zone into its Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and to spot zone the Moppity Wines vineyard at its June Business Meeting last week. The move was prompted by Jason Brown of Moppity Wines seeking to develop and expand the operations at his vineyard to include a café, with the ability to act as a function centre, and a cellar door. The ability to use the café as a function centre is not permissible under the current RU1 Agricultural Zone that the vineyard lies in. Councillor Tony Flanery described Jason Brown’s efforts to turn the area into a premier wine region as “simply amazing”, and urged Council to do everything they can to help businesses such as Moppity Wines to develop. Council will now submit a Gateway Determination request to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Finalisation of the LEP is expected to be in late November, 2015.