A1 Welcome

Minor update

Provides an overview of the DCP, including its structure, Development Application (DA) documentation, and public notification requirements.

• Updates references and Council’s website.
• Introduces new community engagement requirements in line with the Randwick City Community Engagement Strategy (2025).

A2 Connecting with Country

New part

Embeds the Connecting with Country Framework to guide applicants in responding to Country when planning, designing, and delivering built environment projects.

• Note: This part has been deferred until stakeholder consultation is completed and will be reported to Council in mid-2026.

B1 Local Character Areas

New part

Introduces a local character framework requiring applicants to consider and respond to the existing and future desired character of the precinct.

• Identifies eleven distinct ‘local character areas’, outlines their current and envisioned future character, and sets out development guidelines.
• For more information, see the ‘New parts’ section of the Council report.

B2 Heritage

Major update

Clarifies consent requirements for conservation of Aboriginal objects, places of heritage significance, and archaeological sites.

• Outlines comprehensive guidelines for heritage items and conservation areas.
• Restructures the section with new subheadings, principles, objectives, and controls.
• Adds new definitions and sections on signage, Aboriginal cultural heritage, and embodied energy.
• Removes redundant material already available on the Heritage NSW website.
• For more information, see the ‘Major Updates’ section of the Council report.

B3 Sustainability and Resilience

General update

Integrates sustainability principles into new development.

• Strengthens alignment with Council’s Environment Strategy and draft Resilience Strategy.
• Refines passive building design and encourages PV/battery systems, efficient electric hot water, and electrification (no gas).
• Requires 5.5 Star NABERS rating for non-residential, co-living, industrial, aged care and health facilities.
• Encourages natural refrigerants and design for disassembly.

B4 Landscaping and Biodiversity

General update

Sets requirements for landscape plans and addresses design matters, including development near biodiversity areas and habitat corridors.

• Strengthens alignment with Council’s Environment Strategy, draft Resilience Strategy, LSPS, and SEPP (Biodiversity & Conservation).
• Expands scope and mapping integration by applying controls to all developments that impact habitat or landscaping. Incorporates mapped biodiversity areas, including the RLEP Terrestrial Biodiversity Map, C2 Environmental Conservation zones, and SSROC Connected Corridors for Biodiversity.
• Clarifies Vegetation Clearing Permit requirements by introducing clear thresholds for when a permit is needed.
• Introduces new and enhanced design controls, including minimum soil depth and volume standards for different plant types, and water-efficient landscaping requirements.
• Adds new controls for green roofs and green walls, including structural, irrigation, and maintenance standards to support urban greening and stormwater management.
• Strengthens biodiversity protection controls for developments near biodiversity areas.

B5 Preservation of Trees

General update

Updated to protect and enhance Randwick’s urban forest by regulating tree works and vegetation clearing on both private and public land. The revised controls set clear criteria for when Council approval is required, integrate biodiversity and heritage considerations, and support long-term environmental sustainability. These measures ensure tree management aligns with broader strategic goals, including canopy expansion, habitat protection, and compliance with state legislation.

• Renames Part B5 to “Preservation of Trees.”
• Updates the list of exemptions.
• Reduces the tree permit requirement (for pruning and removal) from 6 metres to 3 metres.
• Adds new species to the undesirable species list.
• References SEPP (Exempt and Complying) 2008.

B6 Waste Management

Major update

Sets requirements for sustainable recycling and waste management during demolition, construction, and ongoing operation.

• Note: This section has been deferred pending completion of related studies and will be reported to Council in mid-2026.

B7 Transport, Traffic and Parking

General update

Outlines requirements for traffic, parking, and sustainable transport modes.

• Updates overarching objectives.
• Revises references to relevant acts and regulations.
• Updates parking rates to ensure consistency with the Housing SEPP, including a change to 0.2 spaces per room for co-living developments.
• Consolidates parking rates and controls from other DCP sections, including K2K, RJTC, and WLHAs (formerly HIAs).
• Removes duplication.

B8 Water Management

General update

Provides controls for stormwater, groundwater, flooding, and Water Sensitive Urban Design.

• Removes Section 2 – Water Conservation, which now forms part of DCP Part B3 Sustainability.
• Deletes obsolete images.
• Adds new explanatory notes on stormwater management systems.
• Updates references to relevant acts and guidelines.
• Includes new references to the NSW Government Floodplain Development Manual and LEP Controls (Flood Planning and Special Flood Considerations).
• Introduces new controls to ensure compliance with Council water management policy.

B9 Management Plan

Minor update

Details measures to be addressed in a Management Plan to reduce impacts on local amenity.

• Edits to improve grammar and legibility throughout the section.
• Includes ‘gyms’ and hotel and motel accommodation as land uses that may require a Management Plan, given potential for noise impacts.

B10 Foreshore Scenic Protection Area

General update

Preserves visual and environmental quality of the foreshore.

• Adds new objectives to protect public views and ensure development complements the coastal setting and natural environment.
• Introduces new controls requiring development to use low reflective glass when visible from the public domain.
• Adds new controls requiring the use of indigenous native species that can withstand exposed and windy environments.

B11 Laneway Widening

General update

Facilitates widening of nominated laneways and land dedication.

• Adds a new note referencing s.10.7 planning certificates to determine if a property is nominated for laneway widening.
• Introduces new objectives to facilitate widening and streetscape improvements of nominated laneways, and to permit subdivision and development on nominated sites fronting laneways.
• References the Council Road Widening Policy.
• Adds new mapping to identify streets and laneways nominated for roadway widening.
• Introduces additional controls to encourage tree planting and landscaping along laneways, while minimising detracting features such as blank walls.

B12 Outdoor Advertising and Signage

General update

Guides design and siting of outdoor advertising and signage.

• Note: This section has been deferred and will be reported to Council in mid-2026.

B13 Noise Management

New part

Provides controls for noise limits, mitigation, and management procedures.

• Note: This section is deferred pending technical studies and will be reported to Council in mid-2026.

B14 Communications and Power Lines

General update (Communications) / Major update (Overhead power lines)

Updates requirements for telecommunication facilities and guidelines for undergrounding overhead power lines.

Telecommunication Facilities

• Updates the legislation and regulations section.
• Modifies controls for location and facility health.
• Adds new controls for physical design.

Overhead Power Lines

• Introduces two new pathways for undergrounding power lines:
  • Where the estimated cost of development exceeds $10 million or 12 dwellings; or
  • When landowners initiate a proposal affecting power lines in front of their site.
• Adds new objectives to ensure power lines integrate with the public domain, support canopy growth, and progressively reduce the extent of overhead cabling.
• Includes new sections for key areas, including Foreshore Scenic Protection Areas and the Randwick Junction, Maroubra Junction, and Matraville town centres.
• Adds new controls for street trees, restoration works, and easements.

B15 Public Artwork and Creative Hoardings

New part

Introduces requirements for public art and creative hoardings in major developments.

• Requires major development proposals on E2 Commercial Centre zoned land and selected E1 Local Centre zones to incorporate public art and creative hoardings.
• For more information, see the ‘Major updates’ section of the Council report.

C1 Low Density Residential

Minor update

Provides planning controls for low density residential development, as reviewed in DCP Stage 1.

• Updates to improve grammar and references to relevant acts and guidelines.

C2 Medium Density Residential

Major update

Guides the design of medium density residential development.

• Updates to reflect legislative and policy changes.
• Introduces new planning controls to:
  • Manage abrupt transitions in building scale at interfaces with newly designated Low and Mid Rise (LMR) areas (e.g., where a one or two storey dwelling adjoins a six storey residential flat building).
  • Strengthen requirements for acoustic and visual privacy.
  • Minimise overshadowing of neighbouring living areas and private open space.
  • Regulate building separation and side setbacks.
  • Require landscape screening alongside setbacks.
• For more information, see the ‘Major updates’ section of the Council report.

C3 Universal, Adaptable and Accessible Housing

General update

Supports equitable access to housing by embedding inclusive design standards in residential development.

• Restructures objectives, splitting them between universal and adaptable/accessible housing.
• Updates references to legislation and standards, including:
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992
  • AS4299 1995
  • Liveable Housing Design Standard (replacing the older Liveable Housing)
• Universal housing:
  • Updates definitions, objectives and controls.
  • References the more current Liveable Housing Design Standard.
• Adaptable and accessible housing:
  • Renamed to “adaptable and accessible housing” to clarify distinctions and include accessibility.
  • Provides separate definitions for adaptable and accessible housing.
  • Updates objectives and controls.
  • Adds reference to AS1428 (based on Newcastle DCP).
  • References the heritage chapter for site considerations.

C4 Co-living and Boarding Houses

New part

Supplements Housing SEPP 2021 with additional guidelines and operational requirements to ensure quality and affordable building design, effective ongoing management, and a suitable living environment for occupants and neighbours.

• Amalgamates co-living and boarding house controls.
• Introduces new controls for co-living (student accommodation) and boarding houses.
• For more information, see the ‘New chapters’ section of the Council report.

C5 Amusement Centres

Minor update

Provides location, design and management plan considerations for amusement centre proposals.

• Minor grammatical and editing updates.
• Improved clarity in application.

C6 Child Care Centres

General update

Sets site and design requirements for child care centres to ensure facilities operate safely, sustainably, and with minimal impact on surrounding residential areas.

• Updates legislative and guideline references.
• Removes provisions specifically overridden by the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP and associated Child Care Planning Guideline (e.g., hours of operation, materials, size of premises, location near sensitive uses).

C7 Footpath Dining and Trading

General update

Ensures alignment with Council procedures and processes for footpath dining and trading.

• Amended to align with new Council approvals and processes.
• Clarification of provisions.

C8 Night Time Economy (formerly Night Time Trading)

Major update

Sets objectives, late night trading categories, trading hours, and matters for consideration in the assessment of late-night trading premises.

• Renames chapter from Night Time Trading to Night Time Economy.
• Changes patron capacity thresholds for low and high impact premises.
• Extends trading hours up to 2am (Thursday–Saturday) for venues where egress is not located adjacent to a residential zone or residential laneway.
• For more information, see the ‘Major updates’ section of the Council report.

C9 Sex Services Premises

Minor update

Aims to minimise land use conflicts, protect amenity, and ensure appropriate location of sex services premises.

• Updates to improve grammar and references.

C10 Industrial Areas

General update

Provides guidelines for development within industrial zones, focusing on land use compatibility, built form, and environmental impacts.

• Strengthens planning provisions to protect amenity, including:
  • New 6m setback from Bunnerong Canal to protect Sydney Water heritage item.
  • New control for vehicle entrance to be off a secondary road where available.
  • Requirements for overshadowing impacts on adjacent residential development to be considered.
  • New requirements for stormwater shut-off valves for spills, leaks and fires.

C11 Sydney Airport

General update

Sets objectives and controls for managing noise impacts, height limits, and lighting hazards to ensure residential amenity and the safe and efficient operation of Sydney Airport.

• Updates to regulations and legislation.
• Adds a new objective for lighting hazards.
• Updates the ANEF Contour map.
• Introduces new controls for lighting hazards.

C12 Visitor and Tourist Accommodation

Major update

Provides alignment with the strategic goals and outcomes of the Economic Development Strategy and the Community Strategic Plan.

• Clearly identifies definitions of accommodation that fall under tourist and visitor accommodation as outlined in the RLEP 2012.
• Introduces new controls for backpacker, bed & breakfast, hotels/motels, and serviced apartments (including STRA), replacing older boarding house controls.
• Updates design, amenity and management standards to align with State and local policy.

Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) remains exempt under the Housing SEPP. The DCP applies only if STRA use changes to a permitted accommodation type.

For more information, see the ‘New chapters’ section of the Council report.

C13 Recreation Zones

General update

Incorporates controls to ensure that development supports and complements the recreational and ecological values of existing or planned recreation areas.

• Expands the explanation section to include specific types of recreation areas in Randwick (e.g., beaches, parks, plazas).
• Adds a new objective for the protection of natural and ecological features within recreation zones.
• Expands the definition of public and private recreation zones.

D1 Kensington and Kingsford Town Centres (K2K)

General update

Provides planning controls to guide development in the Kensington and Kingsford town centres, reflecting the vision of the K2K planning strategy and subsequent gazetted LEP amendments. Objectives and controls include requirements for robust and durable construction, and for building materials and finishes.

• Updates to legislative references.
• Clarifies that design statements should be signed off by a qualified architect or urban designer, and updates legislation and policy references.
• Introduces a new control to address visual clutter by clarifying that the front setback area of a development should be structured.
• Removes the automated waste collection clause.

D2 Randwick Junction

New part

Introduces new planning controls to guide development in Randwick Junction Town Centre.

• This part is being exhibited separately alongside the Randwick Junction Planning Proposal from 19 December 2025 to 24 February 2026.

Learn more on the Your Say Randwick webpage.

D3 Maroubra Junction

Minor update

Facilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development within Maroubra Junction. Objectives and controls include requirements for robust and durable construction, and for building materials and finishes.

• Updates to improve grammar and references to relevant acts and guidelines.
• This is an interim update, as the town centre is subject to a comprehensive planning review programmed for 2026.

D4 Local Centres General Controls

Minor update

Facilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development within zone E1 local centres and existing commercial sites on residential zoned land.

• Introduces a new format and structure to align with best practice processes for planning and design.

D5 Matraville, D6 Maroubra Beach, D7 The Spot

Minor updateFacilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development within these centres.

• Deferred in accordance with Council resolution of 18 November 2025.

D8 Defence Site

Minor update

Facilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development within the Defence Site.

• Updates to improve grammar and references to relevant acts and guidelines.

D9 Randwick Education and Health Specialised Centre

Minor update

Facilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development within the centre.

• Updates to improve grammar and references to relevant acts and guidelines.

D10 Royal Randwick Racecourse

Minor update

Facilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development within the Royal Randwick Racecourse.

• Updates to improve grammar and references to relevant acts and guidelines.

D11 Prince Henry Site, Little Bay

Minor update

Facilitates well-designed and appropriately scaled development.

• Updates references to regulations and legislation.
• Updates captions for maps and figures.

D12 Newmarket Green

Minor update

Sets out principles and planning controls for Newmarket Green.

• Updates references to regulations and legislation.
• Minor updates to grammar.
• Corrects spelling.

D13 Little Bay Cove

New part

Translates the design principles, planning provisions, and mapping of the original Little Bay Cove masterplan into the DCP.

For more information, see the ‘New chapters’ section of the Council report.

D14 Well Located Housing Areas (formerly Housing Investigation Areas)

General update

Provides precinct-specific DCP controls for the five Well Located Housing Areas (WLHAs), including objectives, controls, and block development controls.

• Introduces a new DCP section, with the majority of provisions previously reviewed, exhibited, and endorsed by Council (except for Kensington North and part West Randwick), and in effect since 1 September 2023.

D15 Specific Sites

Minor update

Establishes a new separate part (previously at the end of C2 Medium Density Residential) to provide a clearer DCP structure and ease of navigation.

• No change to the planning objectives and controls for these five specific sites:
  • Coral Sea Park Estate, Maroubra
  • 58-64 Carr Street, Coogee
  • Barker Street/Willis Street, Randwick
  • 15 Blenheim Street, Randwick
  • Hill 60, La Perouse
• Updates references to regulations and legislation.
• Minor updates to grammar.