UPDATE: Consultation closed on 31 March 2023. Thank you for providing your input. All submissions have been considered and the outcomes were reported to Council's Environment and Planning Committee on Monday 11 March 2024.

At its meeting on 25 March 2024, Council resolved to prepare a Biodiversity and Character Planning Proposal to amend the Georges River Local Environmental Plan by implementing the recommendations of the two Studies. Subsequently the Planning Proposal was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 22 July 2024 to be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a Gateway Determination (approval). For more information, please visit the Planning Proposal page on Council's website.

The finalised Foreshore Study is available on Council's website: Planning Strategies and Studies.

Background

In 2021, the Georges River Biodiversity Study and Foreshore Scenic Character Study were completed to consider the biodiversity, local character and foreshore scenic character of the Georges River LGA (local government area). These two studies made a number of recommendations, including changes to planning controls to address many of the current gaps and issues.

An online information session was held in August 2021 where an overview of the two Studies was presented. Council received two requests for the findings of the Foreshore Study to be revisited. The recommended Foreshore Scenic Protection Area has been updated in response. The outcome of the review is detailed in an Addendum to the Foreshore Study and also in an updated version of the full Foreshore Study (both found in the Document Library).

Why do we need your help?

The proposed planning controls will mean changes to the way development is carried out and will mainly affect homes in low density areas. We need your help in co-designing a set of planning controls that will allow new developments to happen while protecting and enhancing the local environment.

What changes are proposed?

Biodiversity, local character and the scenic qualities of the Georges River are highly valued by everyone in the community. However, we don’t have the most effective planning controls in place to appropriately protect and enhance these values.

The proposed changes focus on creating the most appropriate controls for the three values of:

1. Biodiversity
2. Unique local character
3. Foreshore scenic character

If you have questions like:

• What does 'planning controls' really mean?
• What are the changes?
• How might I and my property be affected?

Find out more information through the Fact Sheets, these are found in the Document Library.

There are also a number of areas where lot size controls are under review. Let us know what you think by casting your vote below.

If you would like to review the proposed controls in detail, reports of the full suite of proposed changes are also available in the Document Library.

Workshops and Meetings

Update: Thank you for attending these workshops. The transcript of the Questions and Answers (Q&As) from the Online Workshop is now available in the Document Library.

We are also hosting community workshops both online and in person for you to find out more and join in on the discussion. Registration is essential.

	Online workshop Tuesday 25 October 6-8pm, Zoom Meeting Watch the recording of the online workshop here
	In person workshop Thursday 27 October at 6-8pm, Marana Auditorium, Hurstville

One-on-one meetings are also available to find out how you might be affected. Booking is essential via the Individual Meeting Booking Form below.

How to be involved

Consultation period closes on Friday 31 March 2023. Please provide your feedback before the closing date.

If you would like to provide feedback or comments on the Policy, we encourage you to:

• Complete our online feedback form, or
• Fill in our online survey about lot size changes, or
• Return a hard copy submission.*

*If you are returning a hard copy submission, please quote SF22/5580 at the beginning of your submission and return:

	In person to Georges River Council Civic Centre or Libraries
	Via email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
	Via post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481