The Water Management for Development Policy and associated amendments to the Warringah DCP 2011, Manly DCP 2013 and Pittwater DCP 2014, were endorsed at a Council meeting on 25 August 2020. These DCP amendments came into effect from the date of the notice.
View Council minutes (Item 11.1)
A large number of stormwater management related controls have either been removed or revised to reflect the new Water Management for Development Policy, which consolidates the approaches of the three former Councils. The policy explains Council’s requirements for urban development in managing water quality, on-site stormwater detention, flood risk, stormwater disposal, drainage easements and water efficiency.
Please contact Ruby Ardren at ruby.ardren@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au for more information.
The Policy was exhibited from 26 October to 28 November 2019, and one submission was received during this time.
An additional submission received in response to amendments to the Pittwater DCP 2014 (on public exhibition between 4 May 2019 and 2 June 2019) relating to water management was also reviewed in the context of the draft Policy.
Changes were made to the Policy as a result of the submissions received, including improved wording, the removal of a requirement that developers pay a bond on stormwater assets that would remain privately owned, and the addition of a clause requiring developers to minimise impervious surfaces (as required under the Manly LEP 2013).
A report was presented at Council on Tuesday 25 August to report the outcomes of the public exhibition and to seek adoption of the final Policy and DCP amendments.
The draft Water Management for Development Policy provides the principles and planning controls that will allow Northern Beaches Council to deliver effective integrated management of rainwater, stormwater, groundwater and wastewater. It will protect and enhance the natural environment while ensuring protection of public and private property.
The policy provides a set of clear and consistent guidelines for development across the Northern Beaches, simplifying and improving the application and assessment process in relation to water management. Practitioners will now only need to access one document, rather than referring to multiple policies, guidelines and technical specifications.
The key points of difference from the former policies include:
- updated principles to include references to water quality and climate change
- a map of high quality catchments that in addition to existing high quality catchments identified in planning controls for the former Warringah area, will incorporate three high quality catchments from the former Pittwater area (McCarrs, Wirreanda and Cicada Glen Creeks)
- a simpler and easier to follow water treatment solution for smaller lots that are not subdividing
- better guidance for developers on suitable water treatment options
- additional controls to minimise damage to stormwater treatment measures installed during construction e.g. swales, constructed wetlands
- provision of clearer guidelines for developers to follow for on-site detention requirements
- provision of exemptions for on-site detention in floodplains as they serve no function in these area.
- changes of preferred drainage computer modelling programme from ILSAX to DRAINS (public domain, requires minimal data entry and is consistent with Council’s modelling)
- updated references to legislation.
Public exhibition of the draft Water Management for Development Policy and associated Manly, Warringah and Pittwater DCP amendments was endorsed at the Council meeting on Tuesday 22 October, 2019.
The engagement period ran from Saturday 26 October to Thursday 28 November 2019.
- View Council Report Item 11.2, 22 October 2019
- View draft Water Management for Development Policy
- View draft Development Control Plan and Policy amendments
- View the Council minutes, Item 11.2, pg. 14 22 October 2019
Enquiries: Ruby Ardren, Project Leader, Water Management on 1300 434 434
