News Friday, 27 March 2026

Council’s housekeeping amendments’ secretly a big deal

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Updated 27 Mar 2026

Council’s housekeeping amendments’ secretly a big deal Shutterstock | Copyright (c) 2025 Alena Levykin/Shutterstock. No use without permission.

NICK NIKOLAIDIS

THE City of Parramatta has opened public consultation on what are being described as ‘housekeeping’ amendments to its planning controls in the Parramatta Local Environment Plan (PLEP) but contain major changes for certain landowners.

When the current council was amalgamated in 2016 the new boundaries incorporated areas previously in the Hills Shire, Hornsby Shire, Auburn and Holroyd Councils.

As a result, the Council inherited planning controls in these areas which restricted developments with minimal money raised through developer contributions to embellish community infrastructure.

The proposal intends to remove Clause 6.19 of the PLEP which currently prohibits landowners in certain areas from subdividing their land. Affected properties are those previously located within the Hills Shire, making up most of North Rocks and parts of Carlingford and Oatlands.

The change would allow landowners in these areas to subdivide their land for dual occupancy for the first time. Landowners will still require an application and assessment process before a subdivision can be granted.

Council claims the clause in its current form is inconsistent with their approach to density elsewhere in the LGA and does not align with the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise housing policy.

Allowing subdivisions could allow ageing landowners and empty nesters to downsize while staying local and create new more affordable housing for families and first home buyers.

However, the council report notes that the additional dwellings will increase demand on local infrastructure but does not propose a timetable to deliver or fund additional upgrades.

The report proposes to eventually amend developer contributions plans to provide council with the revenue to invest into the upgrades, but upgrades would only occur after people have already moved in.

Submissions close 5pm Wednesday 15 April on Council’s Participate Parramatta website. https://participate.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/harmonisation-supplementary-matters