Precinct Planning

Precinct planning (or commonly referred to as masterplanning) is a process that defines a vision, strategic directions and guidelines to ensure the orderly and efficient development of new precinct, such as a Town Centre or new residential community.

The key outputs of the precinct planning process include the following:

• an Indicative Layout Plan (ILP);
• detailed controls contained in precinct specific Development Control Plan (DCP); 
• and an amendment to the Western Parkland City Precincts SEPP.

An ILP is intended to be a high-level plan that proposes future land uses, infrastructure services and helps to guide development objectives.  An ILP will reflect the results of extensive technical background investigations and assessment of environmental, recreational, heritage and topographical features of a precinct.

A DCP is a document prepared by Council or DPE which provides detailed development guidelines to assist a person proposing a development. A DCP must be consistent with the provisions and objectives of the Growth Centres SEPP. 

The rezoning of a precinct occurs after the Western Parkland City Precincts SEPP is amended to adopt a precinct plan and remove the application of the Camden Local Environmental Plan 2010 (underlying zoning) to the land release area.

Please refer to the Planning Controls and South West Growth Area web-pages for more information. 

New Approach to Precinct Planning

Until recently, DPE had responsibility to plan and rezone precincts within the SWGA, in collaboration with Council as a principal stakeholder. Once a SWGA precinct was rezoned, Council was responsible for assessing subsequent Planning Proposals and Development Applications. 

On 2 November 2019, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces announced a new approach to precinct planning.

This approach consists of four planning pathways as outlined in the diagram below:

As a result of the new approach to Precinct Planning, Camden Council is now responsible for undertaking the assessment of precincts through the planning proposal process.

Council officers are currently assessing several proponent-led planning proposals that have a precinct size larger than 100ha. Precincts are categorised as ‘Significant Planning Proposals’ under Council’s Planning Proposal Policy which means the background documentation and studies are prepared and funded entirely by the proponent.

Camden Precinct Collaboration Group

The Camden Precinct Collaboration Group (Camden PCG) was established in February 2020 to provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure infrastructure delivery is aligned with land use planning, precinct planning and forecast development for better place outcomes for Camden.

The Camden PCG held every 8 weeks. The key aims of the Camden PCG is to:

• align infrastructure delivery with precinct planning and to bring Council and Stage agencies together. 
• agree of planning priorities; and
• determine planning pathway and collectively manage the delivery of land rezoning

The Camden PCG membership includes members from the following State agencies:

• Greater Sydney Commission;
• Department of Planning and Environment;
• Transport for NSW;
• Sydney Water; and
• Other State agencies as required (e.g. NSW Justice, NSW Health, School Infrastructure NSW).

Frequently Asked Questions