16 February 2017 – Media Release
A new policy adopted at Cumberland Council’s 1 February meeting now ensures residents and businesses have the opportunity to provide input on planning proposals at the earliest stage possible. Planning proposals are requests to change the zoning of land within Cumberland which effects the type of developments allowed, their height, density and more.
Cumberland Council’s new policy offers a consistent approach which puts all planning proposals out for comment from the public earlier in the process, prior to assessment by Council and the Department of Planning and Environment (NSW DP&E). This will ensure that the proposal submitted to the NSW DP&E already bares the imprint of the community. In addition, formal community consultation following assessment will still be carried out.
“We know that the community cares about the type and extent of development planned in Cumberland” said Acting General Manager Maxine Kenyon.
“With this policy we are going above and beyond what is required by legislation to ensure that every person within Cumberland has the opportunity to have a say both before and after any proposal has been assessed.”
“This means Council and the State Government have to consider the community’s input before they make a recommendation, which wasn’t always the case before.”
“This reform builds on the achievements of the new Cumberland Council in the area of transparency concerning development and planning such as the establishment of the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (CIHAP) and Cumberland’s new e-planning system that allows residents to view DA’s online.”
The policy will become effective from 21 February 2017.
