Planning Proposal Policy Review

Guiding the Local Plan Making Process

The Planning Proposal Policy has been reviewed to respond to changes to the plan-making process, and we are seeking your feedback.

Planning Proposals are submitted to amend local environmental plans - to support changes in land use such as rezoning land, enabling subdivision and altering permissible land uses.

Recent changes to the local plan-making process by Council and the NSW Government mean we need to review our Planning Proposal Policy. This will ensure that the Policy is current and provides effective guidance to Council staff and other stakeholders who work with planning proposals.

The key changes to the Policy include:

• Inclusion of the new pre-lodgement stage (Scoping Proposals),
• Responding to the NSW Government's 'Benchmark Timeframes',
• Updated approach to fees and charges and the introduction of a cost recovery approach,
• Setting out the opportunities for Councillor engagement,
• Shifting the focus for engagement to the Wollondilly Community Participation Plan, and
• Managing potential conflicts where Council is the developer.

Who is this Policy for?

• Developers and consultants who submit planning proposals to Council
• NSW government agencies who provide comment on planning proposals
• Residents, special interest groups and other stakeholders who have an interest in the local plan making process
• Internal stakeholders who provide comment on planning proposals or assist the local plan making process.

What does the Planning Proposal Policy do?

The Policy aims to provide guidance on the administration of planning proposals and the local plan making process to assist and guide communities, proponents, and practitioners.

It is intended to complement the NSW Department of Planning & Environment's Local Environmental Plan Making Guideline.

A Planning Proposal is a written document that explains the intended effect of a proposed amendment, and sets out the justification and supporting information for a change to a Local Environmental Plan or a State Environmental Planning Policy (in growth areas) to be made.

The Planning Proposal Policy provides guidance on Councils expectations and covers:

• How planning proposals will be categorised
• The approach to applying the relevant fees from Council's adopted Fees & Charges
• Opportunities for proponents to seek early advice before submitting a planning proposal (for example, pre-lodgement meetings)
• The requirements for submitting a Planning Proposal (including the types of technical studies required to be prepared)
• The Wollondilly Shire Local Planning Panel's role
• When Council will seek to be authorised to make a local environmental plan (delegation)
• Meeting the NSW Government's benchmark timeframes
• How elected Councillors will be engaged throughout the local plan making process
• Managing potential conflicts of interest for Council-related Planning Proposals
• Withdrawing a Planning Proposal
• The process for varying the Policy in extenuating circumstances.

View the Policy

• Your Say Wollondilly (Draft Policy tab)
• Council's Customer Service Centre, 62-64 Menangle Street, Picton
• Wollondilly Library in Picton
• Dilly Wanderer Outreach Service

Give Feedback

Written submissions can be submitted:

• Online: Via the feedback form below
• Email: council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
• Post: Wollondilly Shire Council, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571
• In Person: Hand delivered to Council's offices at 62-64 Menangle Street, Picton.

Share your feedback before midnight on Sunday 28 May 2023.