Public Exhibition of the draft Planning Agreements Policy

More information on planning agreements is available on:

• Council’s Planning Agreements webpage including Council’s Register of Planning Agreements
• NSW Government Practice Note on Planning Agreements 2025

What is a Planning Agreement?

A planning agreement is a voluntary agreement between Council and a developer. It relates to development applications or planning proposals that ask for exceptions to building rules, such as building height or floor space.

Planning agreements are used alongside other tools to deliver local infrastructure and facilities. Under a planning agreement, a developer can:

• Make a monetary contribution to Council for a public purpose (this may include public amenities or services, affordable housing, transport, or other infrastructure)

• Dedicate land free of cost (for example, for roads, parks, or open space)

Build or provide a public benefit (for example, construct footpaths, roads, or public spaces)

The main purpose of planning agreements is to address the demands and impacts that new development has on public infrastructure and services. They help provide benefits for the community.

More information:

• Council's Planning Agreements webpage

• NSW Government Practice Note on Planning Agreements (2025)

You can view a register of all Council planning agreements on Council's website and the NSW Planning Portal.

What does the draft Policy do?

The Draft Planning Agreements Policy provides Council's framework for negotiating, preparing, and managing planning agreements. It includes:

• Principles that protect the public interest

• Processes and procedures for preparing agreements

• Rules that govern how Council uses planning agreements

• Guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency

This policy helps ensure planning agreements are handled consistently and openly for both developers and the local community.

Is this a new Policy?

No, this is an updated policy. The Draft Policy will replace Council's existing Planning Agreements Policy 2016.

If Council adopts the new policy, the 2016 policy will be formally rescinded.

What are the key changes?

Council has reviewed the existing policy to make sure it aligns with:

• The new NSW Government Practice Note on Planning Agreements (2025)

• Current legislation and ministerial directions

• Best practice standards

The Draft Policy includes important updates:

• Stronger enforcement: Better ways for Council to enforce agreements and secure contributions

• Updated processes: Clearer procedures for negotiating and monitoring planning agreements

• New provisions: Added sections on affordable housing, development feasibility, and Council-owned land

The report to the Council Meeting on 08 December 2025 provides information on the draft policy and outlines the key changes to the existing policy.

A copy of the Council report and Council Meeting Minutes are available in the Documents section on this page.

Why does Council have this Policy?

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure strongly encourages all councils to publish a planning agreements policy. This ensures:

• Consistency: Council uses a fair and accountable framework

• Transparency: The process is open and clear for developers and the community

• Compliance: Council meets requirements under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act and Regulation

• Best practice: Council follows ministerial directions and recommended standards

The policy protects the integrity of the planning process and safeguards the public interest.

Who does this Policy impact?

This policy affects:

• Developers and landowners seeking planning proposals or development applications that require exceptions to standard planning controls

• The community who benefit from infrastructure and facilities delivered through planning agreements

• Council staff who negotiate and manage planning agreements

• Decision-makers who assess development applications and planning proposals

Related Information

You may find these resources helpful:

• Current Planning Agreements Policy 2016

• Practice Note on Planning Agreements (2025) – NSW Government

• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (Part 7) – NSW Legislation

• Infrastructure Funding Policies – NSW Government

Outcome

The draft Planning Agreements Policy was on public exhibition from 11 February 2026 until 13 March 2026. The new GRC Planning Agreements Policy 2026 became effective on 23 April 2026.

More information on planning agreements is available on:

• Council’s Planning Agreements webpage including Council’s Register of Planning Agreements
• NSW Government Practice Note on Planning Agreements 2025

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• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
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