WUFA logoWarringah Urban Fringe AssociationFair planning for the deferred lands
Draft Northern Beaches LEP and DCP

Fair planning for the deferred lands

WUFA supports environmental protection, but planning controls must be fair, evidence-based and consistently applied.

Read the recommendationsAbout WUFA

What is changing?

The deferred lands in Oxford Falls, Belrose North and Cromer remain subject to Warringah LEP 2000. The draft Northern Beaches LEP proposes new C3, RU4, R5 and R2 zones and substantial changes to existing planning controls.

170–172currently permissible land uses
23–44proposed uses, depending on zone
10focused WUFA recommendations

Three core principles

Fairness

Recognise existing rights, approvals and reasonable transitional arrangements.

Evidence-based planning

Base environmental zoning and mapped constraints on reliable, site-specific evidence.

Consistency

Apply comparable controls to comparable land across the Northern Beaches.

WUFA’s ten recommendations

Fairness

1

Retain existing permissible land uses

Create an Additional Permitted Uses layer so lawful land-use opportunities under WLEP 2000 are not broadly extinguished.

View the evidence
2

Restore the two-year transition period

Reinstate the proposed two-year continuation of currently permissible development.

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3

Recognise approved boarding houses and seniors housing

Land with approved boarding houses or seniors housing should be zoned R2 where that reflects the approved use.

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4

Protect existing dwelling rights

Remove the proposed local clause that may prevent a dwelling house on an existing lot.

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5

Extend Additional Uses Area 11

Include the 19 lots at 195–227 Forest Way and expressly permit storage premises and veterinary hospitals.

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Evidence-based planning

6

Require evidence-based C3 zoning

Council should fund an independent site-specific ecological assessment where a landowner disputes proposed C3 zoning.

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10

Ensure riparian land mapping is evidence-based

Council should fund an independent site-specific assessment where a landowner disputes mapped waterways, wetlands or riparian corridors.

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Consistency

7

Use consistent minimum lot sizes

Apply 4,000 m² to R5 land and 20,000 m² to RU4 land.

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8

Correct R5 and RU4 land-use tables

Permit beekeeping, animal boarding and veterinary hospitals in R5, and secondary dwellings and dual occupancies in RU4.

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9

Apply special controls fairly

Scenic protection and other local restrictions should be justified and applied consistently across the LGA.

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