Northern Beaches Council has been honoured with industry recognition for its ‘Resilience Planning in Action: Conservations Zones Project’ at the PIA Awards for Planning Excellence.

Praised by the judging panel, the project was pronounced ‘an excellent example of taking a strategic approach to addressing climate related risks through a methodology of land use zoning land to account for floods, fires, coastal cliffs, and estuarine hazards. The extensive collaboration to test and refine the methodology to produce a quality template that can be implemented across NSW is commended’.

Receiving a commendation in the competitive Strategic Planning Project category demonstrates Council’s innovation and leadership in planning for resilience.

The Conservations Zones Review addresses an urgent need for transformational change to the NSW planning system to prevent the growth of new developments in high risk areas. Backed by extensive technical studies, detailed mapping, and engagement through an interactive spatial tool, the project has provided the community with greater clarity and certainty about where it may be safer to build.

Council is currently considering submissions received from the Conservation Zones Review public exhibition and is working closely with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to determine an appropriate way forward to respond to matters raised.

Visit our Conservation Zones project page to learn more.