A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the main tool used to control development of land in a local government area.

It does this through zoning and development controls, which provide a framework for the way land can be used.

An LEP is prepared by Council but must be approved by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

A Development Control Plan (DCP) provides detailed local planning and design guidelines to support the planning controls in a Local Environment Plan (LEP). 

The DCP includes controls for things like building design, building setbacks, landscaping, privacy, car parking, and waste management for all the different types of development.

DCP provisions are prepared by Council and approved by Council following public consultation.

Currently, we have four Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), and four Development Control Plans (DCP’s). One for former Manly (MLEP 2013) and Pittwater (PLEP 2014); and two for the former Warringah (WLEP 2000 and WLEP 2011), each with their own Development Control Plan (DCP).

This means that there are four different approaches to planning across the Northern Beaches. This is inconsistent, confusing and unsustainable in the longer term.

Changes to the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979) in March 2018 require all Sydney Councils to review their Local Environmental Plans to give effect to the new District Plans within 2-3 years.

A Local Housing Strategy (LHS) is a document prepared by Council to identify our current and future housing needs and to set down how we intend to accommodate future housing growth to meet those needs. 

The Greater Sydney Commission has established housing targets for Councils under the relevant District Plan. Council must prepare a LHS in order to address these targets.

The LHS provides an opportunity for Council and the community to influence how and where we will grow.

Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably. However, they are different things.

Housing Affordability:

Relates to the general affordability of both rental and purchase housing on the open market, and is not limited to those on low to moderate incomes.

Affordable Housing:

Affordable Housing are homes for very low income households, low income households or moderate income households. This is often provided through a housing assistance program that provides rental dwellings for a specified level of below market rent price.

The Greater Sydney Commission is the statutory body responsible for planning for the future growth of the Sydney Region.

They produced the Sydney Region Plan and the North District Plan, with which Council’s plans must align.

The North District Plan is the Greater Sydney Commission’s plan for the North District. 

The North District covers City of Ryde, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Willoughby and the Northern Beaches.

It is a 20 year plan to manage growth and covers economic, social and environmental matters of the North District. It is the plan we must give effect to, which means our strategic planning must align with this plan.

The plan includes actions and priorities around four themes of liveability, productivity, infrastructure and environment. Some of these actions include targets for housing, employment and the environment.

The State Government and the Greater Sydney Commission directed all Councils, through amendments the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979), to make sure their plans align with their District Plan and the Sydney Region Plan.

The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is a long term strategic plan that all councils must develop on behalf of their communities in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993. It is a shared vision of what the Northern Beaches community values and aspires to for the next ten years.

The LSPS is focused on land use; the CSP is focused on the direction of all of Councils functions.

Council, in consultation with the community, will develop the following:

• Local Strategic Planning Statement
• Local Environmental Plan
• Development Control Plan
• Local Housing Strategy
• A range of studies and investigations

It is paramount that the decisions made as a community are supported by expert evidence.

Council is planning to undertake the following studies:

• Demographic Analysis
• Employment Study
• Housing Study
• Social Infrastructure Study
• Transport Investigations
• Local Character Study
• Environment Study

We will also undertake more studies or investigations where required.