Planning in the Aerotropolis involves strategic policies, statutory plans, and controls that guide development and ensure appropriate outcomes are achieved.
The planning framework is informed by the Region Plan, Western Parkland City District Plan and Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan 2020.
The planning framework is used to assess development proposals in the Aerotropolis under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The development application process sits outside of the planning framework.
As the Aerotropolis evolves, these plans and policies will be updated to enable development to progress.
The planning framework of the Aerotropolis is made up of the following elements:
- the State Environmental Planning Policy (Western Parkland City)
- the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Precinct Plan
- the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan (DCP)
- Recognise Country guidelines
- Aviation Safeguarding Guidelines
Current planning controls
The State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts – Western Parkland City) outlines land use controls for the Aerotropolis, including zonings, infrastructure corridors, land acquisition, heritage, biodiversity protection, and aviation safety.
The maps from the State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts – Western Parkland City) are available in PDF format on the NSW legislation website or you can use the NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer.
Background
The Government originally established the State Environmental Planning Policy controls for the Aerotropolis under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Western Sydney Aerotropolis) 2020. The Government then transferred these controls to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts – Western Parkland City) in March 2022 as part of a statewide consolidation.
Find more information on the State Environmental Planning Policy controls at Western Sydney Aerotropolis Planning Package.
An amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy also took effect on 25 March 2022. More information on these changes can be found at Western Sydney Aerotropolis Explanation of Intended Effect.
The Precinct Plan provides place-based objectives and requirements to guide development within the Aerotropolis. It provides further details to support land-use zonings, such as building height and density, and other provisions outlined in the Western Parkland City SEPP. For more information read the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Precinct Plan.
Maps
Maps are included in the Precinct Plan document. High-resolution PDF copies of the Precinct Plan maps are available via email at [email protected]
Background
A range of technical studies were commissioned to support the precinct planning process. Studies include biodiversity, social infrastructure, and bushfire, amongst others.
For more information on the development of the Precinct Plan and supporting technical studies can be found at Western Sydney Aerotropolis Precinct Plans.
The Government finalised the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan on 10 November 2022. It aims to support the precinct plan by providing controls to guide development across the Aerotropolis.
The development control plan uses performance-based approaches to achieve results and aims to give applicants some flexibility and certainty. The document provides guidelines for development to council staff, developers, and landowners. For more information read the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan (PDF, 3.6 MB).
Background
The Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan – Phase 1 (Phase 1 DCP) was published on 13 September 2020 and came into effect on 1 October 2020. The Phase 1 DCP identified the precinct planning principles, objectives, and performance outcomes to allow precinct planning to progress. The Phase 1 DCP is superseded by the current Development Control Plan (Phase 2 DCP).
More information on establishment of the current Development Control Plan are at Western Sydney Aerotropolis DCP – Phase 2.
Recognise Country: Guidelines for Development in the Aerotropolis
The Recognise Country Guidelines sit alongside the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan and provide guidance and support to proponents so they can effectively respond to Aboriginal culture and knowledge throughout the design process.
Aviation Safeguarding Guidelines
The Aviation Safeguarding Guidelines help protect 24-hour operation of the new Western Sydney Airport. The guidelines draw on information from the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan.
Existing use rights
Existing use rights still apply to zoned land in the Aerotropolis. The Western Sydney Aerotropolis – Community Guideline (PDF, 176 KB) has been prepared to assist landowners, business operators and other community stakeholders to understand how existing residential, business, or other uses may continue, despite the changes to the planning controls within the Aerotropolis.