The STP Buffer Zone Land Use Planning Guidelines (June 2020) provide a structured, risk-based framework to support land use planning within sewage treatment plant (STP) buffer zones in NSW. Designed for Local Water Utilities (LWUs), planners and environmental professionals, the Guidelines assist in assessing compatible land uses within the typically recommended 400-metre buffer zone. They outline potential off-site impacts—including odour, aerosols, noise, lighting, visual amenity, and soil or groundwater risks—and provide practical mitigation measures. These Guidelines support informed, defensible planning decisions that balance community expectations, regulatory requirements and the operational integrity of sewage treatment facilities.