$100 million to increase biodiversity protection and deliver certainty for housing

The NSW Labor Government has delivered on its commitment to strengthen protection for koalas while helping deliver much-needed housing in Western and South Western Sydney, by enhancing the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.

The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) is a strategic biodiversity certification which provides upfront biodiversity approvals, removing the need for individual landholders to seek their own biodiversity approval. It speeds up planning processes while giving the community certainty about the future of their area.

Under this enhanced plan, $49 million has been committed to deliver the first stage of a new national park in the Gulguer area to provide critical wildlife corridor connections.

A further $31 million will be used to protect and restore small, isolated patches of rare, at-risk native vegetation in areas such as Orchard Hills, that might otherwise degrade over time.

An additional $22 million will be allocated to fast-track the preservation of around 60 hectares of critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland.

The NSW Government is enhancing protection for Sydney’s only disease-free koala colony by creating a new South Western Sydney koala map, and a requirement to preserve the mapped land.

These amendments to the Plan strengthen environmental protections while retaining certainty for local residents and allowing business to invest with confidence.

The land earmarked for development in the CPCP could provide up to 73,000 new homes, while also protecting native plants and animals and providing green open space for residents. The plan will also help deliver jobs and infrastructure.

The NSW Government’s enhancements to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan also include:

• Updating planning controls to clarify that CPCP avoided land, such as koala corridors, should be zoned C2 Environment Conservation Zone (or similar) at the planning proposal stage.
• Publishing koala fencing guidelines, so landholders, developers and consent authorities are clear on best practice design and expected locations of koala exclusion fencing.
• Providing precinct planning level guidance on protecting native vegetation. This includes the benefits of co-locating green space and parks with existing vegetation to reduce urban heat effects and support more liveable communities.
• Committing an additional $2.5 million to deliver the new Caring for Country Strategy, which will enable Aboriginal communities to deliver programs to benefit their communities.

The improvements to the CPCP are in line with the previous advice and recommendations of the NSW Chief Scientist.

The CPCP paves the way for homes to be built across four nominated growth areas and transport corridors: Greater Macarthur, Greater Penrith to Eastern Creek, Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Wilton. The total land certified for development in the CPCP area has not changed.

The changes will come into effect over the next 12 months.

Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“Our enhancements to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan take real and concrete steps to protect koalas in South Western Sydney, and are funded.

“The Plan also gets the balance right between the urgent need for housing and infrastructure in our growing city and conserving and protecting our native habitat and wildlife.

"These improvements will make a big difference. They’re not just good for nature – they will also provide more green open spaces and cooling across Western and South Western Sydney.

“Improving the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan so it’s fit for purpose is a win-win; it will give certainty to households, business and industry while protecting our iconic koala and the precious biodiversity of the Cumberland Plain.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Planning Paul Scully:

“Improvements to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan will enable the NSW Government to better work with industry to deliver more housing for Western and South Western Sydney while providing better safeguards for our valued biodiversity.

“Western Sydney is the third largest economy in Australia, with one of the most rapidly growing populations. Industry needs certainty to be able to deliver homes and jobs for people to live close to their jobs and family.

“Enhancements to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan will help address our critical housing shortage and support the delivery of jobs and infrastructure, whilst providing Western and South Western Sydney residents with more green, liveable and attractive places to live.”

Key facts:

What is the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan?

The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) is a comprehensive strategy designed to achieve a delicate balance between housing development and environmental preservation in Western Sydney.

What area does it cover?

The CPCP encompasses approximately 200,000 hectares in Western Sydney, extending across eight Local Government Areas: Wollondilly, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Penrith, Blacktown and Hawkesbury.

What is the primary purpose of Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan?

Its primary purpose is to grant upfront biodiversity approvals for development within specific growth areas and four transport corridors. These growth areas are: Greater Macarthur, Greater Penrith to Eastern Creek, Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Wilton.

Why did the government review the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan?

To strengthen protection for the koalas, wildlife and threatened plants of South Western Sydney, while still delivering much needed housing.

Why is the NSW Government making changes?

The changes are necessary to ensure we better protect native animals and plants, including koalas, as we increase the number of homes in Western Sydney.

Why isn’t the Government completely redoing the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan?

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Department Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and Water recommended, and the NSW Government accepted, new measures instead of redoing the plan.

How will these changes affect landholders?

Landowners in certified areas will not need to undertake site-specific biodiversity assessments when seeking development approvals, while those in avoided areas can maintain their current property use.

Will this change the number of homes being built in the region?

No, 73,000 homes will still be built. The enhancements have been designed to strengthen biodiversity outcomes while still delivering on critical housing targets. The developable land in the CPCP area has not changed.

How does the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan benefit koalas?

The CPCP prioritises koala protection through commitments like establishing the Georges River Koala National Park, constructing koala-friendly crossings, and safeguarding critical habitat with fences from new residential areas. Research and monitoring further ensure koalas’ well-being within the CPCP.

What are the benefits to other threatened species and ecological communities?

The CPCP will safeguard at least 5,325 hectares of threatened ecological communities, notably including the critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland. This target is significantly bolstered by the NSW Government’s commitment to establish a national park in the Gulguer area.

When will the changes be implemented?

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will deliver most of the new measures over the next twelve months.

What is the role of the Commonwealth Government?

The CPCP has been prepared to meet biodiversity approvals under both the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Commonwealth Government needs to approve the Plan to allow development that may affect species listed under the legislation it administers.