business - 2026-08-11

Northern Beaches planning overhaul would expand duplexes and unify development rules

Source: manlyobserver.com.au

Northern Beaches homeowners could gain wider rights to build two dwellings on one property under a major overhaul of local planning rules now open for public comment. Northern Beaches Council's draft Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan would create a single set of development controls across the local government area, with submissions accepted until 30 August.

Northern Beaches homeowners could gain wider rights to build two dwellings on one property under a major overhaul of local planning rules now open for public comment. Northern Beaches Council's draft Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan would create a single set of development controls across the local government area, with submissions accepted until 30 August. The proposed documents would replace four separate sets of controls inherited from the former Manly, Pittwater and Warringah councils. The Local Environmental Plan sets the legal rules for land use and development, while the Development Control Plan provides more detailed guidance on matters such as building form, setbacks and apartment design. Council says the new system is intended to give residents, property owners and developers one consistent rulebook after more than five years of technical work and consultation. One of the most significant changes is the proposed expansion of dual occupancies across R2 low-density residential zones. Dual occupancies, which place two dwellings on one title, would become permissible throughout those zones, including in the former Warringah area where that option is...