Parramatta's New Harmonised Plan

PropCode Library: Simplifying Planning Policy Research

In today's ever-changing landscape of planning documents, PropCode Library stands as a unique resource that consolidates hundreds of these documents in one place. With constant updates and amendments being made to planning policies, our Library ensures that you have access to the most up-to-date information for your next project.

Through amalgamation in recent years, the City of Parramatta expanded its territory by incorporating land previously in four other councils. To achieve harmonization, the new Parramatta Council spent years developing new planning documents to integrate the whole LGA.

The Parramatta Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2023 came into effect in March 2023, and the final step in this process is the implementation of a unified Development Control Plan (DCP). As of September 18, the new DCP is now in effect, meaning any new project within the Parramatta LGA must comply with both the new LEP and DCP.

As part of these changes, the Land Zoning Map in the LEP 2023 was amended and harmonized, resulting in several key differences, including:

• Rezoning of public bushland reserves and other zoning to C2 Environmental Conservation.
• Rezoning of natural waterway corridors on public land to W1 Natural Waterways.
• Rezoning of all land previously classified as E3 Environmental Management to C2 Environmental Conservation.
• Rezoning of specific properties within the former The Hills LGA from R3 Medium Density to R2 Low Density Housing.
• Transformation of B and IN zones into E Employment zones, and E Environmental zones into C zones or Conservation.
• Rezoning of all places of worship from SP1 Special Activities to R2 Low Density Residential.

In the newly enacted DCP, there were several notable differences from previous councils' DCPs:

• Introduction of new controls for dual occupancy development, with an emphasis on preserving the character of neighbourhoods. These controls include requirements for upper-storey setbacks, split driveways to soften the appearance of houses and accommodate sloping terrain, restrictions on mirroring dual occupancy buildings, and the use of porches or porticos to mark dwelling entries.
• Implementation of controls for manor houses to ensure consistency in design between CDC and DA approved projects.
• Expansion of the Parramatta DCP 2011 control, which mandates DA approval for the removal of any tree or palm exceeding 5m, to cover the entire council area.
• Provision of electrical circuits and power points for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, including EV Ready Connections for at least one car in residential accommodations.

To assist residents in the entire Parramatta LGA, we have already added this new DCP to the PropCode Library. Our platform boasts the most comprehensive, user-friendly, and up-to-date library of planning documents in New South Wales.

Curious about your Council's latest DCP or LEP, in Parramatta or anywhere else in NSW? Simply search your address in the PropCode Library to see the list of relevant documents. Then utilise our powerful multi-document search function to find answers to any questions you may have regarding rules for your next project.