Council is concerned about impacts of excavation, particularly the potential impact on the structural and geological integrity of buildings in the Rose Bay area which may occur due to groundwater drawdown during excavation. We have also identified a need for improved controls to manage vibration from construction activities such as building demolition, pile driving, soil compaction and rock excavation. The vibration from these activities can have negative impacts on human comfort and cause structural damage. To address these matters, a draft development control plan has been prepared which is on public exhibition from 4 September 2024 to 6 October 2024.

Proposed Amendments

We're exhibiting a proposed amendment to Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Woollahra DCP 2015).

Draft Woollahra DCP (Amendment No. 30) – Hydrogeological, Geotechnical and Vibration Impacts, seeks to address groundwater drawdown, land stability and vibration impacts relating to development. These changes were informed by the Rose Bay Hydrogeological and Geotechnical Impacts (July 2024) prepared by GHD.

The proposed changes include:

  • Introducing a groundwater drawdown limit in parts of Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill, identified as the Rose Bay settlement area
  • Amending the existing control for drawdown limits in the Double Bay settlement area
  • Introducing vibration controls that specify limits for continuous vibration, intermittent vibration, and impulsive vibration. These limits address human comfort and structural damage, and will apply to all site work including demolition, earthworks, and construction
  • Establishing definitions for terms used in the Woollahra DCP, Chapter E2 Storm water and Flood Risk Management.

The Draft DCP applies to the whole Woollahra Local Government Area (LGA).

The Draft DCP amends the following chapters of the Woollahra DCP:

  • Chapter A1 Introduction by inserting additional savings and transitional provisions
  • Chapter B3 General Development Controls B3.4, Chapter D3 General Controls for Neighbourhood and Mixed Use Centres section D3.4,Chapter D5 section D5.6.7, and Chapter D6 section D6.6.8, to state that the provisions for groundwater and geotechnical impacts are in Chapter E2
  • Chapter E2, section E2.2.10 to address groundwater drawdown and establish vibration limits, Appendix 1 to establish definitions for terms used in the Chapter, and to make other related administrative and minor changes.

Public Exhibition

Have your say

We accepted feedback on the proposed amendment via the online form below, email or mail.

A hard copy of the exhibition material was available at the Woollahra Council Customer Service area, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay – 8.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

All submissions received during the exhibition period will be considered by Council.

This public exhibition ran from Wednesday 4 September 2024 until Sunday 6 October 2024.

See privacy note under FAQs on this page.