Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan spatial map
The Department has developed a spatial map to help landholders and other stakeholders to view the final Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) mapping. Through the spatial map, landholders can easily view the final CPCP mapping for their property by using the spatial map’s search function (to find property or lot number) and view relevant information at property scale.
Watch the tutorial video and read the spatial map glossary (PDF, 89 KB) to help you use the spatial map.
What the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan means for your land
We have revised the CPCP's mapping to address feedback received from landholders and other stakeholders during public exhibition. We have also updated the mapping by increasing the width of koala corridors, so the CPCP is consistent with advice from the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer.
For more information on land categories and how we have responded to landholder feedback read the What we heard report (PDF, 6.3 MB).
Existing zoning maintained
The CPCP maintains existing zoning for avoided land. The CPCP will use planning controls on avoided land to provide flexibility around uses, while still protecting important biodiversity. To find out more about the planning controls for avoided land, visit planning controls.
Modification of the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan
Through the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021, landowners may apply for minor modifications to the certification categories that apply to their land. The landowner’s application is called a ‘modification request’. The process for a modification request is outlined in Chapter 13, Part 13.5A of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 (B&C SEPP).
If a modification request is approved, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces then undertakes a detailed biodiversity assessment of the site-specific and cumulative impacts of the requests before making an application to the Minister for Environment to modify the biodiversity certification in the CPCP.
Applications for the first round of modification requests closed in June 2023.
Assessment of initial applications
Since applications closed, the Department has been working closely with landowners and other stakeholders to clarify the requested changes to CPCP mapping and to undertake ecological assessments of the likely impacts of these changes.
All applications have been assessed against the Department’s policy, which outlines the considerations for determining modification requests.
Read the Consideration for determining modification requests (PDF, 228 KB).
A further detailed biodiversity assessment has been undertaken in the form of a Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report, prepared by accredited ecologists as required by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
According to the report, the proposed changes amount to an increase of approximately 26 hectares of certified urban capable land, to the existing 10,195 hectares of urban capable land certified through the CPCP.
Public exhibition of the modification package
The draft report is on public exhibition from 9 am Friday 28 November 2025 until 5 pm Friday 16 January 2026. The Department is seeking feedback on the proposed minor changes to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan mapping.
The proposed changes amount to an increase of approximately 26 hectares of certified urban capable land, to the existing 10,195 hectares of urban capable land, certified through the CPCP. The proposed changes are minor mapping amendments, initiated by landowners or Government that meet the considerations for determining modification requests in the Consideration for determining modification requests (PDF, 228 KB).
The biodiversity impacts of each request have been considered at both a site scale, and a cumulative landscape scale.
To review the proposed changes and make a feedback submission, visit the NSW Planning Portal.
Frequently asked questions
Once the public consultation period has closed, the Department will consider all submissions and prepare a ‘What we heard’ report. The Department will update the mapping and Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report where needed, and in consultation with relevant applicants.
The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces will then make an application to the Minister for the Environment to modify the biodiversity certification of the CPCP in accordance with the final report. It is anticipated that this will occur in 2026.
It is anticipated that future modification processes will be available, noting that the timing is not yet determined. This will be notified via the Department’s website. You can register to receive notifications of future rounds by:
- email: [email protected]
- phone: 02 9585 6060
Landowners wishing to be considered for inclusion as part of a modification application, by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to the Minister for the Environment, need to demonstrate how their proposal meets certain criteria and other relevant considerations.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has prepared a policy that outlines the relevant criteria and other relevant considerations that will be used to determine if an application is suitable for inclusion in a modification application to the Minister for the Environment.
The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces may decide to approve or refuse a modification request from a landowner based on how the request fulfils the criteria in the policy.
If accepted, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces makes an application to the NSW Minister for the Environment to modify the biodiversity certification.
The Minister for the Environment is responsible for making the final determination on the modification.
Read the policy – considerations for determining modification requests (PDF, 228 KB).
There are fees associated with processing and assessing modification requests to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, though the application fee may be waived in some circumstances.
The Department has prepared a short policy outlining the fees and the circumstances in which fees may be waived or refunded as part of the modification process.
Read the policy – considerations for waiving or refunding fees for modification requests (PDF, 82 KB).
If the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approves a modification request, the Department must prepare a revised biodiversity certification assessment report (BCAR) as part of the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ application to modify the biodiversity certification of the CPCP.
The Department will publicly exhibit the revised BCAR report before it is submitted by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to the Minister for Environment.
The Department is currently aiming to publicly exhibit the revised BCAR by late 2025.
Only parties to the CPCP may apply to the NSW Minister for the Environment for a modification. Landowners are not parties to the CPCP. The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces is a party, however, and can apply on behalf of landowners.
More information
For planner enquiries:
- phone 02 9585 6060
- email [email protected] (between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm weekdays)
For translation, phone 13 14 50 and ask for an interpreter in your language to connect you to 02 9585 6060. Then ask for the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan team.