Draft Georges River Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2020

Outcome

The Georges River Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2021 came into effect on 8 October 2021. It replaces the existing Hurstville and Kogarah planning controls and applies a consistent land use approach across the entire LGA. For more information, please visit Council’s website: Georges River LEP 2021

Update on Biodiversity Study

During the exhibition of the draft LEP 2020, we heard from you the importance of recognising and protecting the rich biodiversity that can be found in the Georges River local government area (LGA). Council does not yet possess a comprehensive study of its total biodiversity. As the first step, Council has partnered with Total Earth Care to prepare a LGA-wide Biodiversity Study, which aims to identify local areas of high biodiversity value and importance to ensure their protection.

You are invited to share observations regarding local flora and fauna, to assist with the development of this Study. Please visit the Biodiversity Study project page for further details: https://yoursay.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity-study-for-georges-river

Notification of Georges River Local Planning Panel Resolution

The Georges River Local Planning Panel (GRLPP) considered a report on the Outcomes of Public Exhibition and Finalisation of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2020 (GRLEP 2020) at its meeting on Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June 2020.

The GRLPP resolved to endorse a number of variations to the exhibited Planning Proposal for GRLEP 2020 and to forward the amended Planning Proposal to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for gazettal in accordance with Section 3.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

A summary of the amendments made by the GRLPP are provided in this fact sheet.

A copy of the amended Planning Proposal for GRLEP 2020 and Appendices forwarded to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for gazettal is available here.

Notification of Georges River Local Planning Panel meeting

The Georges River Local Planning Panel (LPP) will be considering a report on the Outcomes of Public Exhibition and Finalisation of Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2020 at its next meeting which will be held over 2 days - Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June 2020 via an interactive platform.

The NSW government (Department of Planning Industry and Environment) now requires all planning panels to hold public hearings and meetings online under a new regulation introduced on 30 April 2020 to ensure no delays in the system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 has been amended to set out the minimum requirements for holding public meetings using telephone and video conferencing.

Consistent with the Regulation, the Georges River Local Planning Panel meeting will be held online.

Each meeting will be divided into 30 minute timeslots to hear speakers.

Submissions will not be heard during the following times:

• 25 and 26 June 2020 - 11.00am to 11.30am;
• 25 June 2020 - 1.00pm and 2.00pm; and
• 25 June 2020 - 3.00pm to 3.30pm.

Bookings are essential and Council requests that you provide three options for timeslots in which you will be available to speak with the Panel. Council officers will contact you before the meeting to confirm your timeslot.

Please note that the Panel members will be provided with all submissions received on the draft LEP 2020.

If you wish to speak and present your issues to the Panel please complete the form entitled ‘Application to Make Representations to the LPP Form’ . In the “summary of issues” section indicate the three timeslot options you will be available to speak with the Panel. You do not need to attach your submission. Please return the Form by close of business Friday 19 June 2020.

The report that has been prepared on the Outcomes of Public Exhibition and Finalisation of Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2020 for the Georges River Local Planning Panel can be viewed on Council’s website www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au, click on “Development”, then “Development Applications” then “Local Planning Panel (LPP)”. The agenda will be publicly available seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled Planning Panel Meeting.

Please note that the Georges River Local Planning Panel will not consider or accept any submissions, documents, plans or other materials as part of the Application to Make Representations to the LPP Form.

If you seek clarification on the process for the LPP meeting above please contact the Panel Secretariat via PanelSecretariat@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.

Any technical or assessment related enquiries should be directed to the Strategic Planning Team during business hours on (02) 9330 6211.

Exhibition Extended to 31 May 2020

The exhibition period for the draft Local Environmental Plan 2020 (draft LEP 2020), draft Local Housing Strategy and draft Inclusive Housing Strategy will be extended an additional 16 days from 15 May to 31 May 2020.

Council is unable to extend the exhibition beyond this date due to our commitments to the State Government under the Accelerated LEP Program.

As background, in September 2018 Council received $2.5 million in grant funding from the NSW Government for an accelerated review of Council’s existing LEPs and the preparation of a new LEP. In accordance with the Funding Agreement, Council is to submit the draft LEP 2020 to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (the Department) before 30 June 2020.

Notwithstanding the Planning System Acceleration Program, the following additional public consultation actions will be implemented:

• A video presentation has been placed on Council’s Your Say website providing an overview of the key controls in the draft LEP 2020 (refer to the Draft LEP 2020 Informational Video below).
• The exhibition period for the draft LEP 2020, draft Local Housing Strategy and draft Inclusive Housing Strategy will be extended an additional 16 days from 15 May to 31 May 2020.
• Staff to continue to actively service the dedicated phone line and email to respond to enquiries from the community.
• Online meetings will be held to provide the community with an opportunity to discuss the draft LEP 2020 with Council staff towards the end of May 2020.

Please note that draft LEP 2020 is the first LEP in Council’s three stage LEP program for the local government area. The remaining two LEPs being undertaken in 2021 and 2022 will provide further opportunity to review the planning provisions if required.

Background

In 2019, Council endorsed the Georges River Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS 2040), which sets out the vision for the future of our local government area and will guide land use planning for the next 20 years. Over 500 residents and business operators participated in a series of workshops and surveys and told Council their suggestions for growth and the approach to guiding development within the Georges River LGA. This community consultation, undertaken for the LSPS 2040, has informed the draft Local Environmental Plan 2020 (draft LEP 2020) prepared by Georges River Council.

Draft LEP 2020

A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is a legal document which controls land use and development in the local government area (LGA). A LEP contains provisions such as land use zones, building heights, heritage and local provisions, such as landscaping.

The draft LEP 2020 will replace and harmonise the existing LEPs applicable to the former council areas of Kogarah and Hurstville:

• Hurstville Local Environmental Plan 2012
• Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012

Planning Proposal Process

To explain the intended effect of the proposed LEP and set out the justification for making that plan, Council has prepared a planning proposal. The preparation of a planning proposal is the first step in preparing a LEP.

The draft Planning Proposal was reported to the Georges River Local Planning Panel (LPP) on 6 February 2020 seeking the LPP's endorsement to forward the Planning Proposal to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for a Gateway Determination. A Gateway Determination specifies whether a planning proposal can proceed to public exhibition.

In accordance with the Georges River LPP resolution, the Planning Proposal for the draft LEP 2020 was forwarded to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for a Gateway Determination.

Council received a Gateway Determination on 10 March 2020 from the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces (or delegate) for the Planning Proposal to proceed subject to conditions.

Public Exhibition

The draft LEP 2020 has been informed by a number supporting documents, including the Georges River Local Strategic Planning Statement and Heritage Review. The draft LEP 2020 has also been informed by the draft Local Housing Strategy and draft Inclusive Housing Strategy which set out the strategic direction for housing in the LGA over the next 20 years.

The draft LEP 2020 Planning Proposal, draft Local Housing Strategy, draft Inclusive Housing Strategy and all other supporting documents and fact sheets are available in the Document Library.

The draft LEP 2020, draft Local Housing Strategy and draft Inclusive Housing Strategy are on public exhibition from Wednesday 1 April to Sunday 31 May 2020.

Council had planned to hold information sessions for the community but following recommendations by the Australian Government, and in an effort to slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Council has made the decision to cancel all events and engagement activities for a rolling four week period. We take the health and wellbeing of our staff, customers and our broader community seriously, and we are doing everything we can to support our staff and our community in the weeks and months ahead.

The community still has the opportunity to speak with the LEP project team on 9330 6211 or send enquiries via email to lep@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

If you wish to make a submission on the draft LEP, draft Local Housing Strategy and/or draft Inclusive Housing Strategy, you may comment via:

• Online: fill out the submission forms below
• Email:mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au (quote reference SF20/881)
• In writing: to The General Manager, Georges River Council, PO Box 205, Hurstville BC 1481 (quote reference SF20/881)

Any submissions received are considered public, however, a person may request to have their personal details suppressed. If you make a submission and have made political donations or gifts, a political donations and gifts disclosure statement must be completed.

Draft LEP 2020 Maps

The draft LEP 2020 maps are available in an interactive format at the following link:

https://intramaps.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/intramaps80/?project=GR_LEP_2020

Disclaimer: While the maps have been created with all due care, Georges River Council cannot guarantee the maps are free from errors or omissions.

Draft LEP 2020 Informational Video

In response to feedback from the community, this informational video provides a helpful summary of the key planning controls proposed in the draft LEP 2020.