Willoughby City Council has launched the public exhibition of a new draft Local Environmental Plan (draft LEP) and draft Development Control Plan (draft DCP). The culmination of five years of strategic research and community consultation, the draft LEP, and supporting draft DCP, are the land use and spatial plans that guide how the City of Willoughby will develop more sustainably and adapt to the changing community needs over the coming decade and beyond. The two draft plans will be on public exhibition for community feedback, until 7 June 2022.
The plans build on the feedback received over the past five years in response to a number of local strategies including the Local Centres Strategy and the Housing Strategy. They also implement the priorities of Willoughby’s Local Strategic Planning Statement for future planning, including housing, diversity, transport, jobs, health of our waterways, and city resilience.
The draft LEP (and supporting draft DCP) contain the primary planning controls for the city. The current LEP 2012 has served the needs of the community well, yet much has changed in the last decade. Underpinned by the priorities set out in Willoughby’s Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020 (LSPS) and aligned to the community’s vision outlined in the Community Strategic Plan Our Future Willoughby, the draft LEP proposes changes including:
- increase in affordable housing in residential developments
- increase in heights and floor space ratios in selected areas (Chatswood CBD and local centres)
- a focus on active transport, with improvements to the local pedestrian and bike networks
- enhance the leafy character of the north shore and protect tree canopies that mitigate the impacts of a changing climate (urban heat)
- extend the boundary of the Chatswood CBD north and south along the railway line
Willoughby ratepayers are encouraged to take part and provide feedback via www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au
To support active community involvement, Council is hosting a series of local area-specific webinars throughout the exhibition period. These sessions will provide a detailed look at the proposed changes by location.
| Launch Webinar | Thurs 17 March 6pm – 8pm |
| Chatswood (including West Chatswood) | Tues 29 March 6pm – 7.30pm |
| St Leonards | Tues 5 April 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Castlecrag (including Castle Cove and Middle Cove) | Wed 6 April 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Northbridge | Wed 27 April 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Naremburn | Thurs 28 April 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Artarmon | Tues 3 May 6pm – 7.30pm |
| North Willoughby | Thurs 5 May 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Penshurst St and High St | Tues 10 May 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Willoughby South | Thurs 12 May 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Industrial Areas | Tues 17 May 6pm – 7.30pm |
To be involved, register at haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au, where community members can find further information and provide feedback about these proposed changes.
Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor said “The LEP is instrumental in shaping our community’s future. It guides future planning decisions in Willoughby to ensure development is designed and undertaken appropriately, to help us grow sustainably.”
“The proposed changes in Willoughby City Council’s draft LEP recognise the past while creating new livable places, strong communities and homes for the future. The strength of these documents relies on community engagement and feedback. I urge all residents to learn about the changes at one of our many webinar sessions over the coming months and Have Your Say about the future of the city.”
Visit www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au for more information and webinar registration.