City Centre Plans

The Newcastle City Centre Plan comprises of a suite of four planning documents.

These documents are exhibited in draft format during the public consultation period. Submissions and comments on the plans are welcomed through the "Have Your Say" section of the site, as well as through the interactive online survey, contained in the Vision + Principles section of the website.

The Documents

• Vision
  This document describes a vision for the city centre, provides information on the history and development context, and
  includes future actions to facilitate the city centre's growth. It sets a strategic framework for the city centre to grow into a more prosperous, vibrant and attractive city.
• Local Environmental Plan (LEP)
  The LEP is the statutory planning framework that establishes zoning, heights, floor space ratios and the main provisions for development across the city centre. The Newcastle City Centre LEP is based on the new Standard Instrument (LEPs) Order 2006 that now applies to all councils in NSW.
• Development Control Plan (DCP)
  The DCP outlines the more detailed planning provisions for the built form, pedestrian amenity, access and environmental management for future development in the city centre. It establishes controls for building setbacks, awnings, and separations between buildings in order to take advantage of the winter sun within the city centre.
• Civic Improvement Plan (CIP)
  This document establishes the importance of the public domain in terms of design principles for paving, parks, signage, lighting and the improvement of key public places. The document also lists the projects that Council would like to undertake based on funds levied from individual developments. This will include the traditional Section 94A levies as well as a new provision to levy for local infrastructure.