Conservation Zones will form an integral part of the new Northern Beaches Council Local Environment Plan (LEP). APA made a submission regarding Council’s draft Conservation Zone review. NBC referred submissions to the NSW Department of Planning which has (belatedly) replied that these zones should stay substantially as they are, so a victory for common sense!
BACKGROUND
Conservation Zones C3 and C4, are important as they give local government and residents control over residential development in sensitive areas. In contrast, areas zoned ‘Residential’ allow ‘Complying Developments’ to be built. A ‘Complying Development’ does not need to be notified to the community and could compromise environmental values. Use the Councils online search tool to find out how the new zoning may affect you and your neighbours.
CONCERNS with Council’s original draft review included:
– the large number of properties to be transferred from Conservation Zones 4 and 3 (C4 and C3) zoning to ‘Residential’ zoning;
– the low value or lack of value given to Biodiversity, Tree Canopy, Scenic Location, Cultural/Heritage and Risk (eg fire, flood, steepness); and
– the lack of definition of ‘Residential’ zone.
APA understands that the NBC has revisited its methodology and is reworking the draft to take account of the 935 submissions, especially relating to wholesale rezonings from C4 to R2. NBC advises that it is in discussion with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment regarding the methodology. See the NBC’s June 2024 update here. See also the informative Pittwater Online News article.
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