Building and development

In This Section
DA notifications

Development Application (DA) notifications are now published on our website

Council commenced the publication of new DAs on its website from 29 April 2020. Notifications are also published in the Wentworth Courier. We will continue to notify the owners of properties which may be impacted by a DA by letter and we will still require site notices to be erected on proposed development sites.

Read more

Planning Controls

Woollahra's planning controls

Woollahra LEP 2014 and the consolidated Woollahra DCP 2015 commenced on 23 May 2015.

Read more

Do you need approval?

Common minor works such as fences, air conditioners and swimming pools often do not require Council approval if they meet certain guidelines. See if your work is exempt or complying development.

Most significant developments require you to submit a development application (DA) to gain consent (approval). For all development that is not exempt or complying, the rules are contained in the documents below. Start with the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Woollahra LEP 2014), then determine which chapters of Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Woollahra DCP 2015) apply. In some cases, a state environmental planning policy (SEPP) will also apply.

If you are proposing to carry out development to a heritage item or to a building, work, relic, tree or place in a heritage conservation area, and the development is considered by Council to be of a minor nature or maintenance, development consent may not be necessary. See if your work is of a minor nature or maintenance.

Woollahra development rules (LEPs and DCPs)

The hierarchy of development rules explains how the plans and policies relate to each other.

Local Environmental Plans (LEPs)

Woollahra LEP 2014

Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Woollahra LEP 2014) commenced on 23 May 2015. It contains two parts – a written instrument and a series of maps:

  • Written instrument
    The written instrument comprises land use tables and a series of clauses that regulate development throughout the local government area (LGA).
  • Maps
    The first map is the Land Application Map which establishes where the LEP applies. It includes all land in the LGA. For the remaining maps, the LGA has been divided up into a series of map 'tiles'. Each tile relates to the same geographical area.
  • Explanatory information - Land Use Matrix (PDF)
    The Land Use Matrix helps you work out what land uses may be carried out in each of the land use zones that apply under Woollahra LEP 2014. The matrix also shows you the land uses that are permitted under State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs). Please note that the matrix is a guide only, and it is not a substitute for the zoning tables contained in the Woollahra LEP 2014 or the land uses that are permitted under relevant SEPPs.

As of 26 April 2023, a reference to a Business zone B1, B2, or B4 in a document should be taken to be a reference to an Employment zone E1 or MU1. For further information please see published equivalent zones tables and SEPP Amendment (Land Use Zones) (No 6) 2022.

Draft LEPs / Planning Proposals

Current planning proposals

Planning Proposal for Leslie Wilkinson Heritage Study
Submissions closed 10 March 2023

Planning Proposal for local heritage listing of Ausgrid electricity substations
Submissions closed 11 November 2022

Planning Proposal for Proposed floor space ratio and urban greening controls
Submissions closed 16 September 2022

Planning Proposal for a Heritage Housekeeping Amendment
Submissions closed 19 August 2022

Previous planning proposals

Planning Proposal for ‘The Corner House’ at 364 Edgecliff Road, Edgecliff
Listed as a local heritage item on 24 March 2023

Planning Proposal for 252-254 New South Head Road, Double Bay
Amended planning controls came into effect 16 December 2022

Planning proposal for 'Cadry's Building' at 133 New South Head Road and 549 Glenmore Road, Edgecliff
Listed as a local heritage item on 16 December 2022

Planning proposal for 'Sunny Brae' at 40 Fitzwilliam Road, Vaucluse
Listed as a local heritage item on 4 November 2022

Planning proposal for 53 & 55 Drumalbyn Road, Bellevue Hill
Listed as local heritage items on 14 October 2022

Planning proposal for Earthworks and associated groundwater dewatering - proposed enhanced provisions
Amended planning controls came into effect 2 September 2022

Planning proposal to permit advertising on bus shelters as exempt development
Amended planning controls came into effect 10 June 2022

Planning proposal for the Double Bay Bowling Club, 18 Kiaora Road, Double Bay
Amended planning controls came into effect 22 April 2022

Planning proposal for 'Hillcrest' 780-786 New South Head Road, Rose Bay
Listed as a local heritage item on 14 January 2022

Planning proposal for 203-233 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
Planning proposal did not proceed

Planning proposal for 46 Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse
As the building has been demolished, on 28 July 2021 the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment issued an amended gateway determination identifying that the planning proposal should not proceed.

Planning proposal for 3 Trelawney Street, Woollahra
Listed as a local heritage item on 14 May 2021

Planning proposal for George S. Grimley Pavilion & Sydney Croquet Club
Listed as a local heritage item on 14 May 2021

Planning proposal for the Paddington Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2019
Amended planning controls came into effect 26 March 2021

Planning proposal for the Rose Bay Scout Hall, 3 Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay
Listed as a local heritage item on 12 February 2021

Planning proposal for 30 Wyuna Road, Point Piper
Listed as a local heritage item on 22 January 2021

Planning proposal for the heritage listing of seven pubs in Paddington
Listed as a local heritage items on 23 December 2020

Planning proposal for Sewage Pumping Station (SPS 46) and gates, 13 Collins Avenue, Rose Bay
Listed as a local heritage item on 23 December 2020

Planning proposal for Cooper Park (excluding Cooper Park North), Bellevue Hill
Listed as a local heritage item on 18 December 2020

Planning proposal for Rose Bay Uniting Church and Wesley Hall Group, 518a Old South Head Road, Rose Bay
Listed as a local heritage item 28 February 2020

Planning proposal for the Four in Hand Hotel, 105 Sutherland Street, Paddington
Listed as a local heritage item 17 January 2020

Planning proposal for Gaden House, 2A Cooper Street, Double Bay
Listed as a local heritage item 6 September 2019

Planning proposal for Dunara Reserve, Point Piper
Listed as a local heritage item 24 May 2019

Planning proposal for 42-58 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse
Planning proposal did not proceed

Proposed changes to the land management controls of Dunara Reserve, Point Piper
Planning proposal did not proceed

Planning proposal for Ian Street and Wilberforce Avenue Car Parks, Rose Bay
Amended planning controls came into effect 8 June 2018

Planning proposal 190-200 Boundary Street, Paddington
Amended planning controls came into effect 24 November 2017

Planning proposal for 374 and 376-382 New South Head Road, Double Bay
Amended planning controls came into effect 13 October 2017

Planning proposal for 636 and 638-646 New South Head Road, Rose Bay
Amended planning controls came into effect 18 August 2017

Planning proposal for Street Name Inlays
Listed as local heritage items 16 December 2016

Planning proposal for Yarranabbe Park and Rushcutters Bay Park Seawall
Listed as local heritage items 16 December 2016

Planning proposal for 80-84 and 90 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
Amended planning controls came into effect 25 November 2016

Planning proposal for 83 and 83A Yarranabbe Road, Darling Point
Planning proposal did not proceed

Planning proposal for 48 Duxford Street, Paddington
Planning proposal did not proceed

Planning proposal for 529-539 Glenmore Road, Edgecliff
Planning proposal did not proceed

Planning proposal for 240-246 New South Head Road, Edgecliff (Thane Building)
Amended planning controls came into effect 10 October 2014

Requests for planning proposals

Planning proposal request for 136-148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff

Planning proposal request for 40 Fitzwilliam Road, Vaucluse

Information on requests for planning proposals can be found here.

Previous LEPs - WLEP 1995 & WLEP No. 27

Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 1995 (Woollahra LEP 1995)

Woollahra LEP 1995 was repealed by Woollahra LEP 2014 on 23 May 2015. For new applications, please see Woollahra LEP 2014.

As per the savings provision relating to development applications (see Cl 1.8A in Woollahra LEP 2014), if a development application was made and not determined before the 23 May 2015, the application must be determined as if Woollahra LEP 2014 has not commenced.

The Woollahra LEP 1995 text and associated maps are provided below.

Woollahra LEP 1995 written instrument (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Woollahra LEP 1995 land use (zoning) map (PDF, 2.9 MB)

Woollahra LEP 1995 height map (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Woollahra LEP 1995 density map (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Woollahra LEP 1995 heritage conservation map (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Woollahra LEP 1995 foreshore building lines map (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Woollahra LEP 1995 acid sulphate soils map (PDF, 2 MB)

Woollahra Local Environmental Plan No. 27 (Woollahra LEP No. 27) - applying to Strickland House, Vaucluse

Woollahra LEP No. 27 (15 January 1988, as amended) applied to the land at Strickland House, Vaucluse until 23 May 2015 when it was repealed by Woollahra LEP 2014. Under Woollahra LEP No. 27 the site is zoned Special Uses 5(a) (Hospital) and is identified as a heritage item.

Woollahra LEP No. 27 (PDF, 1 MB)

Woollahra LEP No. 27 map extracts (PDF)

FAQs

What is an LEP?

An LEP or ‘local environmental plan’ is Council’s main legal document for controlling development and guiding planning decisions made by Council to ensure that growth and development occurs in a planned and coordinated manner consistent with Council and community expectations and needs.

  1. An LEP contains land use zones which establish where residential, commercial, recreation and other uses can occur. It has development controls for buildings and land, including controls for height, floor space, subdivision and lot size. An LEP also provides protection for trees, heritage items, heritage conservation areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

An LEP is made by Council in consultation with the community, and approved by the Minister for Planning, according to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.
It is reviewed every 7 to 10 years to ensure that the LEP is forward looking and suitably addresses current and emerging planning issues.

What are land use zones?

Land use zones are a way of locating compatible land uses together. Land use zones establish the type of land uses that are permitted (with or without consent) or prohibited in each zone. For example, a hotel may be permitted in a business zone but prohibited in an area zoned for residential purposes.

Typical zoning colours are shades of pink for residential use and shades of blue for commercial use, with recreational areas shown in green.

There are 11 land use zones in Woollahra LEP 2014. These are shown on the Land Zoning Map.

What is the land use table?

Each zone contains specific land uses that are permissible or prohibited. These are listed in the land use table.

Can my house or apartment be used for short-term rental accommodation?

Under Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Woollahra LEP 2014), bed and breakfasts are permitted 'with consent' in all residential and commercial zones. This means that under Woollahra LEP 2014, development consent is needed from Council prior to operating a bed and breakfast.

Bed and breakfast accommodation is defined as:

an existing dwelling in which temporary or short-term accommodation is provided on a commercial basis by the permanent residents of the dwelling and where:

(a) meals are provided for guests only, and

(b) cooking facilities for the preparation of meals are not provided within guests' rooms, and

(c) dormitory-style accommodation is not provided.

Importantly, this type of accommodation is to be provided by the permanent residents of the dwelling who must be present on-site. Short-term accommodation where the permanent residents are absent, e.g. as can be provided by services such as Airbnb, Stayz and Rentbyowner, are not bed and breakfast accommodation. There is no definition in Woollahra LEP 2014 for this type of short-term accommodation.

In certain circumstances, bed and breakfast accommodation is permissible as complying development in dwelling houses under Part 1 and Part 4A, Subdivision 1 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP). For example, the property must be a dwelling house (not an apartment) and have at least 1 off-road car parking space.

Therefore, the short-term leasing of houses and apartments (in residential areas) is not permissible unless a development consent or a complying development certificate has been issued for the use of the property as bed and breakfast accommodation.

Note: If your property is located in a commercial zone, under Woollahra LEP 2014 there are a greater range of permissible types of tourist and visitor accommodation, e.g. serviced apartments.

Background information

Copies of relevant committee reports and Council resolutions which were published during the preparation and adoption of Woollahra LEP 2014 are available.

Development Control Plans (DCPs)

Woollahra DCP 2015

The Woollahra DCP 2015 applies to the whole LGA. It contains seven parts, and comprises chapters within each part.

Note: Those provisions in Woollahra DCP 2015 that specify requirements, standards or controls that relate to certain matters which are listed in clause 6A of SEPP No 65 Design Quality of Residential Apartment Development have no effect in the assessment and determination of a development application for development to which SEPP No 65 applies.

Residential apartment development is defined in clause 4 of SEPP No 65. It comprises residential flat buildings, shop top housing and mixed use development with a residential accommodation component. The building must be at least three or more storeys (excluding levels below existing ground level or levels that are less than 1.2m above existing ground level that provide car parking). The building must contain at least four or more dwellings.

All other provisions of Woollahra DCP 2015 can be applied to the assessment and determination of a DA for development to which SEPP No 65 applies.

As of 1 December 2021, a reference to an Environment Protection zone E1, E2, E3 or E4 in a document should be taken to be a reference to a Conservation zone C1, C2, C3 or C4. For further information please see Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Amendment (Land Use Zones) Order 2021

Part A: Introduction and Administration

Part A applies to all development applications (DAs).

Part B: General Residential

Part B applies to DAs proposed on land located within certain residential precincts and neighbourhood heritage conservation areas.

Part C: Heritage Conservation Areas

Part C applies to DAs proposed on land located within the heritage conservation areas of Paddington, Woollahra and Watsons Bay.

Part D: Business Centres

Part D applies to DAs proposed on land in the Edgecliff, Double Bay and Rose Bay Centres, as well as to land zoned B1 Neighbourhood Centre or B4 Mixed Use Centre under the Woollahra LEP.

Part E: General Controls for All Development

Part E contains general controls which can apply to development irrespective of location. It establishes controls that all applications must consider.

Part F: Land Use Specific Controls

Part F applies to DAs relating to specific development types. The controls in Part F apply in addition to the controls in Parts B, C or D (as relevant).

Part G: Site-Specific Controls

Part G applies to DAs proposed on specific sites. The controls in Part G apply in addition to the controls in Parts B, C or D (as relevant).

Woollahra DCP 2015: Full Document

Woollahra DCP 2015 Full Document (PDF, 59.4 MB)

Draft DCPs

Current Draft DCPs

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 21) -  Proposed floor space ratio and urban greening controls
Submissions closed 16 September 2022

Previous Draft DCPs

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 20) – Enhanced Excavation Provisions
Submissions closed 19 August 2022, approved 14 November 2022 and commenced 5 December 2022

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 19) - Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation Areas Provisions
Submissions closed 17 September 2021, approved 25 October 2021 and commenced 6 December 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 18) - Groundwater (Hydrogeology)
Submissions closed 13 August 2021, approved 25 October 2021 and commenced 6 December 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 14) - Inter-War flat buildings in the Woollahra LGA, timber buildings in Paddington and Watsons Bay HCAs
Submissions closed 11 June 2021, approved 26 July 2021 and commenced 30 August 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 16) - Numerical controls for multi-storey development in the Paddington HCA
Submissions closed 11 June 2021, approved 26 July 2021 and commenced 30 August 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 17) - Fire hydrant and booster installations
Submissions closed 11 June 2021, approved 26 July 2021 and commenced 30 August 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 15) - Air-Conditioning and Other Mechanical Plant Equipment
Submissions closed 26 February 2021, approved 22 March 2021 and commenced 12 April 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 12) - Pubs in the Paddington Heritage Conservation Area
Submissions closed 2 October 2020, approved 22 February 2021 and commenced 12 April 2021

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 5) - Manor houses and multi dwelling housing (terraces)
Submissions closed 21 August 2020, approved 26 October 2020 and commenced 7 December 2020

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 13) - Courtyard Housing in the Paddington Heritage Conservation Area
Submissions closed 21 August 2020, approved 29 September 2020 and commenced 12 October 2020

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 11) - Public Art in Major Development
Submissions closed 8 November 2019, approved 24 February 2020 and commenced 16 March 2020

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 7) – Part A and Chapter C1 – Changes relating to the Paddington Heritage Conservation Area
Submissions closed 4 October 2019, approved 11 November 2019 and commenced 2 January 2020

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 9) - Electric Vehicles: Leading the Way
Submissions closed 13 September 2019, approved 11 November 2019 and commenced 2 January 2020

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 8) - Night Time Economy and Footway Dining
Submissions closed 30 August 2019, approved 9 December 2019 and commenced 20 January 2020

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 4) – Roof terraces, lifts and lift overruns
Submissions closed 2 November 2018, approved 26 November 2018 and commenced 2 January 2019

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 3) - Indoor residential amenity and subterranean habitable spaces
Submissions closed 26 October 2018, approved 26 November 2018 and commenced 2 January 2019

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 2) - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls
Chapter B3 General Development Controls of Woollahra DCP 2015, approved 10 April 2017 and commenced 19 April 2017

Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 1) - Chapter E1 - Parking and Access
Chapter E1 Parking and Access of Woollahra DCP 2015, approved 12 December 2016 and commenced 21 December 2016

Woollahra DCP 2015 - Repealed or Amended Chapters

These chapters have either been repealed or amended.

As per the savings and transitional provisions relating to development applications (see A1.1.9 in Woollahra DCP 2015), these chapters continue to apply to development applications, applications to modify development consents and applications for review of a determination that were made prior to, but not determined before the chapter was repealed or amended.

Repealed 5 December 2022 - Chapter A1 - Introduction

Repealed 5 December 2022 - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls

Repealed 6 December 2021 - Chapter A1 - Introduction

Repealed 6 December 2021 - Chapter A3 - Definitions

Repealed 6 December 2021 - Chapter B2 - Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation Areas

Repealed 6 December 2021 - Chapter D5 - Double Bay Centre

Repealed 6 December 2021 - Chapter E2 - Stormwater and Flood Risk Management

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter A1 - Introduction

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter B1 - Residential Precincts

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter C1 - Paddington HCA

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter C2 - Woollahra HCA

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter C3 - Watsons Bay HCA

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter D3 - General Controls for Neighbourhood and Mixed Use Centres

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter D4 - Edgecliff Centre

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter D5 - Double Bay Centre

Repealed 30 August 2021 - Chapter D6 - Rose Bay Centre

Repealed 12 April 2021 - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls

Repealed 12 April 2021 - Chapter C1 - Paddington HCA

Repealed 12 April 2021 - Chapter C2 - Woollahra HCA

Repealed 12 April 2021 - Chapter C3 - Watsons Bay HCA

Repealed 12 April 2021 - Chapter D3 - General Controls for Neighbourhood and Mixed Use Centres

Repealed 12 April 2021 - Chapter G4 - 9A Cooper Park Road

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter A1 - Introduction

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter A3 - Definitions

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter B1 - Residential Precincts

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter C1 - Paddington HCA

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter C2 - Woollahra HCA

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter C3 - Watsons Bay HCA

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter D6 - Rose Bay Centre

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter E1 - Parking and Access

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter E5 - Waste Management

Repealed 7 December 2020 - Chapter E8 - Adaptable Housing

Repealed 12 October 2020 - Chapter A1 - Introduction

Repealed 12 October 2020 - Chapter A3 - Definitions

Repealed 12 October 2020 - Chapter C1 - Paddington HCA

Repealed 16 March 2020 - Chapter D4 - Edgecliff Centre

Repealed 16 March 2020 - Chapter D5 - Double Bay Centre

Repealed 16 March 2020 - Chapter D6 - Rose Bay Centre

Repealed 20 January 2020 - Chapter D5 - Double Bay Centre

Repealed 20 January 2020 - Chapter E5 - Waste Management

Repealed 20 January 2020 - Chapter F3 - Licensed Premises

Repealed 2 January 2020 - Chapter A2 - Advertising and Notification
Note: Development Application advertising and notification requirements are set out in the Woollahra Community Participation Plan.

Repealed 2 January 2020 - Chapter A3 - Definitions

Repealed 2 January 2020 - Chapter C1 - Paddington HCA

Repealed 2 January 2020 - Chapter E1 - Parking and Access

Repealed 2 January 2019 - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls

Repealed 19 April 2017 - Chapter B3 - General Development Controls

Repealed 21 December 2016 - Chapter E1 - Parking and Access

Previous DCPs & Codes

As per the savings and transitional provisions relating to development applications (see A1.1.9 in Woollahra DCP 2015), these DCPs and codes continue to apply to development applications, applications to modify development consents and applications for review of a determination, that were made prior to but not determined on 23 May 2015.

Woollahra Residential DCP 2003 (PDF, 2.7 MB)

Exempt and Complying Development DCP 2000

Double Bay Centre DCP (PDF, 8.9 MB)
Supporting document for this DCP:
Double Bay Public Domain Improvements Plan (PDF, 9.5 MB)

Edgecliff Commercial Centre DCP (PDF)

Paddington Heritage Conservation Area DCP 2008 (PDF, 3.1 MB)

Rose Bay Centre DCP (PDF, 3 MB)
Supporting documents for this DCP:

Rose Bay Public Domain Improvements Plan (PDF, 2.6 MB)

Rose Bay Centre Urban Design Study (PDF, 4 MB)

Watsons Bay Heritage Conservation Area DCP (PDF, 7.7 MB)

Woollahra Heritage Conservation Area DCP (PDF, 4 MB)

Access DCP (PDF)

Advertising and Notification DCP (PDF)

Child Care Centres DCP (PDF)

Educational Establishments DCP (PDF)

Contaminated Land DCP 2010 (PDF)

Neighbourhood Centres DCP (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Parking DCP (PDF)

Site Waste Minimisation and Management 2010 (Waste Not DCP) (PDF)

Woollahra Telecommunications and Radiocommunications DCP (PDF)

DCPs applying to specific properties

Part of 13 Albert Street, Edgecliff DCP (PDF)

Babworth House DCP (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Bishopscourt DCP (PDF)

9 Cooper Park Road, Bellevue Hill DCP (PDF)

9A Cooper Park Road, Bellevue Hill DCP (PDF)

Hawthornden DCP (PDF)

Kilmory DCP (PDF, 1.3 MB)

188 Oxford Street, Paddington and Part Lot 1, DP 215537 DCP (PDF, 1.4 MB)

118 Wallis Street, Woollahra DCP (PDF)

Previous Codes

Woollahra DCP 2015 replaced all existing DCPs and repealed these three codes:

Code for advertising signs (PDF)

Guidelines for the Provision of Foreshore Open Space and Access (PDF)

Private Stormwater Code (PDF)

What is a DCP?

A DCP is a document prepared by Council to guide people when they propose to carry out development. It is also used by Council when it assesses and determines development applications.

A DCP contains detailed planning and building design guidelines for new development and for alterations and additions to existing development. A DCP operates with the Council's local environmental plan (LEP).

Background information

View copies of relevant Urban Planning Committee and Strategic and Corporate Committee reports and Council resolutions which were published during the preparation and adoption of Woollahra DCP 2015.

Woollahra Community Participation Plan (CPP)

The Woollahra Community Participation Plan applies to the whole local government area. It sets out the advertising, notification and community consultation requirements for development applications and strategic planning matters under Council’s jurisdiction.

Notification of development applications

The plan applies to all development applications lodged with Council except for development applications for:

  • State significant development
  • designated development
  • any other types of development applications that relate to “advertised development” under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).

NOTE: The advertising and notification provisions of the EP&A Act and Regulation, the Local Government Act 1993, the Heritage Act 1977, any other State act applicable to Woollahra and any applicable State environmental planning policy, take precedence over this plan.

Woollahra Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS)

The Woollahra Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020 is a legal document that sets out a 20 year vision and planning priorities for managing future land use and preserving our community’s values and the special characteristics of our area. It supports and guides Woollahra’s planning controls to help ensure our area continues to be a great place to live work, play and visit.

All councils in Greater Sydney are required by law to prepare a LSPS. The LSPS links local planning to NSW State Government strategic planning and sets out a clear path for how land use planning in Woollahra will respond to changes over the next 20 years.

The Woollahra LSPS 2020 is supported by the Woollahra Local Housing Strategy 2021 (Woollahra LHS 2021) which sets out objectives and actions for housing and affordable housing across our area and the Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2021 (Woollahra AHP 2021) which guides decision making by defining Council's role in relation to affordable housing.

All planning proposals to amend the Woollahra LEP 2014 or applications to amend the Woollahra DCP 2015 must have regard to the Woollahra LSPS 2020 and the Woollahra LHS 2021.

Aboriginal Heritage Sensitivity

The Woollahra Aboriginal Heritage Study, endorsed by Council on 26 July 2021, provides Council with a vital resource and a management strategy to manage Aboriginal heritage during the development process.

The Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity map can be found below, so that you can identify whether your property is within an area of Aboriginal sensitivity.

Please refer to Council’s DA Guide for further information to help guide the preparation of your development application. Additional information can be found under Heritage Information.

Development Contributions

Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions and Woollahra Section 94 Plans

Contributions plans prepared under section 7.11 or 7.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (formerly section 94 and 94A) allow funds to be raised from approved development applications and complying development applications. The funds are used for the intended provision, extension or augmentation of public facilities, or towards recouping the cost of facilities that have been provided, extended or augmented. Applies to the whole municipality.

Current contributions plans

Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 (PDF)

Woollahra Section 94 Contributions Plan 2002 (PDF)

Reductions in Section 7.12 levy

Voluntary Planning Agreement Policy

The policy establishes a framework for Council to negotiate planning agreements with developers. A planning agreement is a voluntary agreement between Council and a developer, where the developer agrees to make contributions towards a public purpose as part of a development application or planning proposal. Contributions can be monetary, works-in-kind, the dedication of land, or any other material public benefit (or any combination of these). Planning agreements will apply to development applications which justifiably exceed existing development controls, or planning proposals which seek to amend the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014.

Voluntary Planning Agreement Policy 2020