The Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan – Phase 2, known as Phase 2 DCP was finalised on 10 November 2022. It supports the implementation of the Precinct Plan by providing controls to guide development across the initial precincts in the Aerotropolis. The initial precincts for development are Aerotropolis Core, Badgerys Creek, Wianamatta-South Creek, Agribusiness and Northern Gateway Precincts.
The Phase 2 DCP is not a business as usual approach. Feedback received on the Aerotropolis Planning Framework and an ongoing commitment to modernising the planning system, the Phase 2 DCP will deliver outcomes through performance-based approaches, and to balance flexibility with certainty for applicants. It is a document for council staff, developers and landowners that provides guidelines for development.
The Phase 2 DCP contains specific development controls to support healthy communities, high-quality building design, construction standards, stormwater management, vegetation and canopy cover, and heritage and environmental conservation.
The Phase 2 DCP has two accompanying documents: the Recognise Country Guideline and the Aviation Safeguarding Guidelines.
You can read the submissions and the Finalisation Report which outlines the key changes made to the DCP and responds to the issues raised in submissions on the Planning Portal.
It proposes aspirational controls in areas including Connection to Country, a landscape-led approach, built form, access and movement, and site coverage. In particular, the Phase 2 DCP includes:
- an Aerotropolis-wide focus on Connection to Country, with considerations on Heritage and Connecting to Country being at the forefront of the draft DCP
- a landscape-led approach, with specific controls provided for the management of Blue and Green Infrastructure to ensure they are considered at the start of the design process
- built form controls with a strong focus on activation of all facades visible from the public realm, not just areas within centres, as well as the encouragement of public art and wayfinding signage
- a focus on how people will travel to and within the Aerotropolis encouraging sustainable travel choices through strong active transit controls and provision of maximum parking rates
- controls to limit the site coverage of developments and ensure a high level of site permeability so water can enter the groundwater system.
The Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan – Phase 1 (Phase 1 DCP) was published on 13 September 2020 and came into effect on 1 October 2020. The Phase 1 DCP identified the precinct planning principles, objectives, and performance outcomes to allow precinct planning to progress. The Phase 1 DCP is superseded by the Phase 2 DCP.
The Phase 2 DCP was on exhibition for feedback from 8 October until 5 November 2021. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback on the Phase 2 DCP. As a result of feedback during the exhibition period, the Phase 2 DCP was reviewed, restructured and downsized by more than 50 pages to remove duplication and make it easier to use.
The Recognise Country: Guidelines for Development in the Aerotropolis
The Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan’s (WSAP) overarching objective to recognise Country has shaped the proposed future footprint of the Aerotropolis. It focuses on Acknowledging Traditional Custodians and providing opportunities to Connect with Country, Design for Country and Care for Country when planning for the Aerotropolis.
The Recognise Country: Guidelines for Development in the Aerotropolis (Guidelines) supports and guides proponents, landowners and assessment officers in the implementation of requirements relating to Country and Aboriginal culture in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Phase 2 Development Control Plan (DCP) and meet the overarching objective of the WSAP to ‘Recognise Country’.
Aviation Safeguarding Guidelines
The Aviation Safeguarding Guidelines – Western Sydney Aerotropolis and surrounding areas have been developed to:
- assist relevant planning authorities, consultants and proponents when assessing and preparing development applications which are impacted by aviation safeguarding controls
- protect community safety and amenity
- safeguard the 24-hour operations of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI).
Several aviation planning constraints (relating to noise, operational airspace, lighting, wildlife, wind turbines and communication, navigation, and surveillance facilities) extend beyond the Aerotropolis boundary.
These guidelines will be used by relevant planning authorities to help inform land use planning decisions and by proponents to prepare applications on land impacted by aviation safeguarding controls.