A Planning Proposal is a formal request to amend Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP), as per Division 3.4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

A Planning Proposal may aim to alter the range of activities permissible on a site. This includes, but is not limited to, a change in zoning, building height or permitted land uses. A Planning Proposal may also propose amendments to Council’s Development Control Plan, which provides detailed design guidelines to support the planning controls within the LEP. 

Planning Proposals include an assessment of strategic and site specific merit. The NSW Government has prepared a LEP Making Guideline, to assist proponents in understanding the LEP making process and how to prepare a Planning Proposal.

A Planning Proposal should be completed prior to lodgement of a Development Application. 

Planning Proposal - Pre-Lodgement Meeting 

Pre-lodgement meetings are an important first step in the Planning Proposal process. 

The purpose of the pre-lodgement stage is to:

• Provide preliminary feedback to proponents regarding the strategic and site-specific merits of a proposal, prior to formal lodgement
• Understand the expectations for what justification and key technical studies are required to support a Planning Proposal 
• Facilitate early consultation with key authorities and government agencies (if required)
• identify infrastructure needs to support the proposal
  
  A pre-lodgement meeting fee is applicable and depends on the type of proposal (minor or major), as outlined in our Fees and Charges. The Pre-lodgement meeting package includes a face to face meeting with Council Planners and technical officers (if required), followed by formal written advice provided within 10 business days from the meeting date. 
  
  A Scoping Proposal is required to be lodged with a pre-lodgement meeting request, to inform the discussion with Council. The level of information required within the scoping proposal is dependant on the nature, scale, complexity and predicted environmental impacts of the proposal. The NSW Government’s LEP Making Guideline provides a template to guide applicants in preparing a Scoping Proposal. 
  
  Apply for a Pre-Lodgement Meeting through the online form. 
   

Planning Portal 

A Planning Proposal application must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal. Planning Proposals are assessed and determined via the Planning Portal.

To lodge a Planning Proposal via the NSW Government’s Planning Portal, register an account and complete the application online.

The Planning Proposal along with all supporting documentation should be uploaded into the Planning Portal. After lodgement, your documents will be checked by Council to determine whether the information is acceptable. Please contact Council to arrange the payment of applicable fees, as per Council’s Fees and Charges. 

Note that a Planning Proposal application is formally lodged once you are advised that your application is accepted, and the fees are paid.

• About the NSW Planning Portal 
• Access the NSW Planning Portal
• Current Planning Proposals across NSW
• Current Planning Proposals in the Northern Beaches
   

Lodging an application to amend Council’s Development Control Plan

An application to amend Council’s Development Control Plan should be lodged directly with Council.