Overview

We are exhibiting proposed amendments to two documents; the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Woollahra LEP 2014) and Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Woollahra DCP 2015). View the Draft Woollahra Development Control Plan 2015 (Amendment No. 36) (Draft DCP) here.

The amendments seek to clarify and enhance the operation of floor space ratio (FSR) controls in the Woollahra LEP 2014; simplify the calculation of permissible floor space; and clarify certain residential development in the Paddington, Watsons Bay and Woollahra Heritage Conservation Areas which are exempt from FSR controls.

About the planning proposal

The amendment on public exhibition addresses two administrative and housekeeping matters resulting from the finalisation of planning proposal to insert floor space ratio and urban greening provisions into the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 which came into force in 2023.

The two administrative and housekeeping matters the new planning proposal addresses are:

1. Establishes FSR controls for all development in the R2 Low Density Residential zone

The planning proposal will establish FSR controls for certain development including non-residential land uses (such as child care centres and office premises) in the R2 Low Density Residential, replacing current floorplate controls in the Woollahra DCP 2015. These changes will not apply to land within the Paddington, Watsons Bay and Woollahra Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs)

2. Clarifies the residential development in the Paddington, Watsons Bay and Woollahra HCAs which are exempt from FSR controls

The planning proposal clarifies the intended built form outcomes for attached dwellings, dwelling houses, dual occupancies and semi-detached dwellings in these HCAs. They will be principally covered by Woollahra DCP 2015 controls, which are considered more appropriate and preferable to FSR controls.

Council resolved to progress the planning proposal on 26 May 2025. Council staff then submitted the planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) seeking a Gateway determination to proceed with formal public engagement. A Gateway determination is part of DPHI's process, in which DPHI review strategic and site-specific merit and whether the planning proposal should proceed to public exhibition.

Council received a Gateway determination on 3 October 2025, determining that the planning proposal should proceed to public exhibition. Council was designated to exercise local plan-making authority functions in relation to the planning proposal.

About the Draft DCP

The proposed amendments to the Woollahra LEP 2014 require a number of consequential and administrative amendments to Chapter A1 Introduction and Administration and Chapter B3 General Development Controls of the Woollahra DCP 2015. The amendments to Chapter B3 involve the complete deletion of the existing floorplate controls, which currently apply to certain land uses (such as childcare centres and office premises) previously omitted under PP-2021-3786.

Intended outcomes

The revised controls are intended to simplify the calculation of permissible floor space and clarify FSR exemptions to certain residential development in the Paddington, Watsons Bay and Woollahra HCAs.

Have your say

You're invited to share your feedback on the proposed amendments. To have your say, please make a submission using the online submission form below. Alternatively, you can email or write to us and quote SC8469.

A hard copy of the exhibition material is 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.

Public exhibition started on Wednesday 19 November 2025 and closes on Friday 19 December 2025.

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