What is a Neighbourhood Plan?


    A Neighbourhood Plan is the step between the West Dapto Masterplan and a Development Application. Neighbourhood Plans are, in essence, mini-master plans for a particular neighbourhood, precinct or catchment in the West Dapto Urban Release Area.

    Neighbourhood Plans typically illustrate the structure of a future neighbourhood, showing how many residential lots are expected to be delivered, road layouts, areas of parklands and public open space, shops/businesses and community facilities as well as areas of environmentally sensitive land and potential methods for protection of such land.

    A Neighbourhood Plan enables adjoining land owners to jointly consider planning issues such as common constraints and design issues. By assessing these planning issues holistically prior to a development application being lodged, urban development proceeds in a more timely and orderly manner. For example, Neighbourhood Plans encourage orderly development of greenfield land by: integrating development sites and sequencing; ensuring appropriate road and pedestrian connectivity within and between neighbourhoods; delivering housing and services whilst protecting environmentally sensitive land; maximising efficiency of stormwater drainage management and other services and utilities; and allowing for well-planned access for future residents to shops, employment, open space and other essential facilities such as schools.

    What is the process for assessing Neighbourhood Plans?

    The Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 (Chapter D16 West Dapto Urban Release Area) requires Neighbourhood Plans to be developed before land can be subdivided for residential development. Without a Neighbourhood Plan, Council cannot issue development consent for urban development in West Dapto (other than for minor matters).

    Each Neighbourhood Plan in the West Dapto Urban Release Area is required to be adopted by Council.

    The Neighbourhood Plan process is summarised as follows:

    i. Discuss site with Council’s Land Use Planning Team

    ii. Prepare draft Neighbourhood Plan

    iii. Council officers review and report draft Neighbourhood Plan to Council as an amendment to the Wollongong DCP 2009 – Chapter D16 West Dapto Release Area master plan

    iv. Public Exhibition

    v. Council officers review submissions, consult with landowner / consultant over any amendments and report submissions and revised Neighbourhood
    Plan to Council

    vi. Council adopts Neighbourhood Plan as an amendment to the DCP

    vii. Lodgement of Development Application Plan


    Future development applications for urban development in the West Dapto Urban Release Area must be designed in accordance with the adopted Neighbourhood Plan for that area.

    What does the draft Huntley North (Avondale Rd, Cleveland Rd) Neighbourhood Plan propose (in summary)?

    The draft Neighbourhood Plan for the Huntley North (Avondale Road & Cleveland Road) precinct provides for 156 residential lots of varying sizes surrounding an approved golf course on the former Huntley Mine site, north of Avondale Road and west of Cleveland Road. The Neighbourhood Plan is not a subdivision plan but illustrates how future development can be accommodated on the site and considers important planning issues such as access, road layouts, biodiversity conservation and stormwater and servicing arrangements.

    The draft Neighbourhood Plan also proposes the formalisation of a 1.5ha Community Park in the south-west corner of the precinct. For more information please refer to the Council Report dated 15 December 2014, Item 6: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/meetings/BusinessPapers/Draft%20Huntley%20Avondale%20Road%20North%20Neighbourhood%20Plan.pdf

    What does the draft Kembla Grange (Sheaffes Rd, West Dapto Road) Neighbourhood Plan propose (in summary)?

    The draft Neighbourhood Plan for Kembla Grange (Sheaffes Road and West Dapto Road) provides for 587 residential lots in a medium density zone, a commercial town centre of approximately 3.5 hectares, a site for a potential future primary school and a sports park. Extensive portions of the precinct in flood-prone areas will be reserved as open space for drainage purposes. The Neighbourhood Plan is not a subdivision plan but illustrates how future development can be accommodated on the site and considers important planning issues such as access, road layouts, biodiversity conservation and stormwater and servicing arrangements.

    Wollongong Council is the major landowner within this precinct. This draft Neighbourhood Plan was developed in consultation with other landholders and has been assessed and revised by an external consultant and Council planning staff. For more information please refer to the Council Report dated 15 December 2014 Item 5: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/meetings/BusinessPapers/Draft%20Sheaffes%20Road%20and%20West%20Dapto%20Road,%20Kembla%20Grange%20Neighbourhood%20Plan.pdf

    What material is on exhibition? How can I get more information?

    The draft Neighbourhood Plans are on exhibition and consist of illustrated master plans. Should these draft plans be adopted they will be included in the Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 Chapter D16 West Dapto Urban Release Area and will guide future development applications. Council Reports dated 15 December 2014 provide context for the plans and explain the assessment process and planning that has gone into the draft Neighbourhood Plans thus far.

    For more information on planning for the West Dapto Urban Release Area please refer to Council’s webpage: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/services/majorprojects/westdaptourbanrelease/Pages/default.aspx


    For more information regarding the Neigbourhood Plans please refer to the attached Council Reports (Items 5 and 6 of the meeting of 15 December 2014) or contact the Land Use Planning Team on (02) 4227 8264.

    Both reports refer to the preparation and exhibition of a draft Planning Proposal to amend controls in the Wollongong LEP 2009.  These amendments will be exhibited separately.

    How can I comment on the draft Neighbourhood Plans?

    To make a submission on the draft Neighbourhood Plans, please complete an online feedback form. Alternatively, written submissions can be posted to:

    The General Manager
    Wollongong City Council
    Locked Bag 8821
    WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500

    or emailed to records@wollongong.nsw.gov.au. Submissions are to be received before the close of business on the 27 February 2015.

    For submissions regarding the Huntley North (Avondale Road, Cleveland Rd) Neighbourhood Plan please quote ESP-100.02.017 on your submission and note that submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request.

    For submissions regarding the Kembla Grange (Sheaffes Road and West Dapto Road) Neighbourhood Plan please quote ESP-100.02.014 on your submission and note that submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request.

    To obtain information as to how Council will deal with any personal information in your submission or whether you can make an anonymous submission please telephone 4227 7111 or visit Council’s website.

    You should also obtain this information if you are legally required to disclose a reportable political donation or gift.

    For further information, contact Land Use Planning on (02) 4227 8264.