Public input is now being invited on an updated framework of coastal planning controls to bring it into line with NSW Government legislation and to help clarify the information needed for development in certain coastal areas.
"Council has a responsibility to manage development in areas potentially affected by coastal erosion and recession hazards," said Sally Whitelaw, Council's Team Leader Biodiversity Coastal and Flooding.
"The Coastal Vulnerability Area mapping and documents are not new information, but we are updating the existing framework to bring it into line with State legislation and to provide more detail on what is required to be submitted with a Development Application."
The Coastal Vulnerability Area mapping, and accompanying draft policy and planning controls, were sent to the NSW Government in September 2021 for permission to place it on public exhibition for community feedback. Following the exhibition, a final draft policy and development controls will then be developed and the mapping will be sent on for insertion into the NSW Government's own State Environmental Planning Policy.
The Coastal Vulnerability Area mapping was a high priority action contained within Council's Coastal Zone Management Plan, which has been in place since 2013 to help manage the impacts of potential coastal hazards.
"By aligning Council's framework with updated State legislation, we'll ensure that future development in coastal areas is more resilient to coastal hazards. In addition, people wishing to develop will have easy access to all necessary, relevant and detailed information," added Ms Whitelaw.
"While the requirements or what properties it applies to have not changed, we believe the new framework helps make the process much clearer."
To find out more – and to make a submission – go to the Development in the Coastal Vulnerability Area page on Council's Have Your Say website. The exhibition is open from 7 March until 4 April 2022. Landholders in the mapping area have also been sent letters inviting them to comment.
