Central Sydney planning framework

What we’re doing

Central Sydney is the engine room of the NSW economy. We’ve updated our planning framework to ensure future growth occurs where it respects our special places, spaces and parkland, and is highly sustainable, resilient and responsive to climate change. With the significant investment in transport infrastructure, Central Sydney must support more jobs, while maintaining our quality of life.

While Covid-19 is impacting our lives, our jobs and the economy, there is also a place for us to continue with good and thoughtful planning for our city's recovery and future livelihoods.

The planning framework provides a clear path for investment to help rebuild business confidence and support jobs in small and large businesses. It considers commercial development, hotel and visitor accommodation, cultural uses and retail alongside residential living.

Our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision identifies a key goal of nurturing a competitive global Sydney. This updated framework aims to ensure Central Sydney maintains its role as Australia’s most productive and attractive city. It’s the first major review of the Central Sydney planning framework in 45 years and took years of study.

As part of this plan, we propose changes to development controls and development contributions and invite your feedback over 10 weeks, extended from 4 weeks due to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key changes include:

Our city’s growth will need to be accompanied by new supporting infrastructure. To assist, a new contributions plan will help fund new and upgraded public spaces and infrastructure. This approach will improve and retain Sydney’s attractiveness as Australia’s premier business district and global city.

The draft plan includes a proposed increase in contributions for developments worth $500,000 and above.

See our summary of key changes and development contributions plan fact sheet.

Where will these changes apply?

To clarify the areas covered by each of the documents, the map shows an area shaded pink – this is where changes are proposed to the planning controls and development contributions plan. Areas shaded green are where changes are proposed to the development contributions plan only.The area where the proposed Central Sydney planning controls and development contributions plan will apply covers Central station at the southern end of the city to Circular Quay at the northern most boundary. The eastern boundary covers The Domain and Hyde Park. The western boundary covers Observatory Hill, King Street Wharf and then follows Sussex Street south to Chinatown and Haymarket. Only changes to the development contributions plan will apply to Barangaroo, Millers Point, Woolloomooloo Wharf and Garden Island in the northern part of the city. This area also applies to businesses on the southern side of Oxford Street and along Elizabeth Street to Central station. This area also covers the Central Park development area on the southern side of Broadway and Prince Alfred Park.

How to give your feedback

You can provide your feedback by completing our online survey, which includes the option to upload your submission. The online survey is now closed.

You can also email your submission to [email protected] or mail to: Strategic Engagement and Community Relations, City of Sydney, Town Hall House, Level 7, 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

All submissions should include: ‘Reference S064204.024 – Central Sydney Planning’.

Online sessions

Thank you to everyone who participated in our online sessions. These sessions have now concluded. We will prepare a summary of the key matters raised during the Q&A discussions.

Next steps

We will consider all feedback and report the results to Council and the Central Sydney Planning Committee.

If you made a submission or provided your details through our online survey, we will let you know when the reports are being considered.

If Council approves the development controls after public exhibition, the amendment to Sydney Local Environment Plan 2012 will be drafted and finalised by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

If Council approves the new development contributions plan, the change to the contribution rates is intended to start after the amendment of relevant regulations and as the development controls come into effect. However, given the current climate of economic uncertainty, the City is open to considering this timing and process.

Downloads

Planning proposal: Central Sydney

A document that explains the intended effect of the proposed amendments to the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012. The document is the local planning controls prepared by the City.

Central Sydney planning strategy

A 20-year growth strategy that delivers on the City’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 program for a green, global and connected city. Through 10 key moves, the strategy balances opportunities for development to meet the demands of growing numbers of workers, residents and visitors and their changing needs in Central Sydney.

Central Sydney planning strategy attachments

A list of technical studies that supports the 10 key moves outlined in the Central Sydney planning strategy.

Competitive design policy

A policy that explains the processes an applicant is required to undertake to demonstrate that a proposed development is the result of a competitive design process.

Development control plan

Planning controls prepared by the City that describe how to undertake development. For example, the character of an area to be protected, how much sunlight needs to be retained for neighbours or where a building should be located on a site.

Development contributions plan

A plan that enables the City to levy a contribution on new development to fund local infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing residential, workforce and visitor population in Central Sydney.

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