FAQs

A master plan is a long-term planning document that sets out the vision for an area to account for its growth and change over time. 

It helps Council, the community, and other partners work together to ensure changes maximise the benefits for all. This helps balance the current and future needs of the Riverwood Local Centre and wider Georges River community. 

A master plan does not set out the exact details of each individual development, it offers a framework to guide decisions about future development, infrastructure, land use, and public spaces.  

You will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the Draft Master Plan for the Riverwood Local Centre when it is on exhibition. 

Local centres create a strong sense of place in the local community and play a critical role in providing access to day-to-day goods and services close to where people live.

The NSW Government and local councils identify the role and type of centre of a locality. This guides the future planning and helps understand the potential future needs of an area.

In late 2023, the NSW Government introduced new housing and transport planning reforms to encourage more homes near public transport. While Riverwood already has planning controls that allow for some growth, this Master Plan will make sure that growth happens thoughtfully - with affordable housing, good design, and a focus on community needs.

Council will be preparing 12 master plans for its growth areas sequentially, guided by Council's priority and budget considerations. Of these, Riverwood is a priority because of its important role in the region.

Once finalised, planning controls will be updated to reflect the Master Plan, and Development Applications submitted to Council will be assessed against these controls.

Planning controls provide a framework to guide development, but the delivery of new homes occurs separately, on a site-by-site basis and is mostly led by private applicants. Therefore, change is gradual and depends on a range of economic and social factors.

Your ideas and experiences as a resident, business or user of the Riverwood Centre can help shape Kogarah’s future. Here’s how you can contribute to the development of the draft Master Plan: