From today the NSW Government is introducing new rules around consultation for DAs and planning proposals which override Council’s previous rules for how and when neighbours are notified and for how long.    

The Statewide Community Participation Plan (CPP) standardises public exhibition and notification requirements for planning matters across the state. 

For Northern Beaches residents, the most significant change relates to development applications designated as no longer to be notified.

The statewide CPP removes public notification requirements for development types identified as lower-impact and complies with the applicable development standards such as building height and floor space ratio. 

Within the Northern Beaches this includes, but is not limited to, many common residential proposals such as alterations and additions to houses, new houses, dual occupancies, subdivision up to 5 lots and smaller-scale medium-density housing developments. 

That means if your neighbour proposes one of these “lower impact” developments, you will not be notified and you will not have an opportunity to comment on their proposal. 

Higher-impact developments such as residential flat buildings, shop-top housing, childcare centres or other larger-scale developments will continue to be publicly notified and exhibited for a minimum of 14 days.

Strategic plans that shape the long-term future of the Northern Beaches, including local strategic planning statements and other strategic planning initiatives, will continue to be exhibited  under the new CPP to provide the community with opportunity to participate in shaping the area's future. 

You can learn more about the new plans and their implication on the NSW Planning website.