SUTHERLAND SHIRE LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN
The new Sutherland Shire Local Environmental Plan (LEP) will be an updated version of the current LEP 2015. As the first stage of the new LEP, Council has been making minor amendments to LEP2015 to make sure it aligns with the South District Plan, the Local Strategic Planning Statement and recent State Government planning policies. Major planning matters such as plans for town centres and rezoning for new high density areas, will be included in Stage 2. Council will amend SSLEP2015 to incorporate the rezonings and increased building heights and floor space controls contained in the plans for centres and areas around them.
For information and statistics on population and the number of new dwellings approved or completed under LEP2015 and the future housing supply pipeline see
Strategic Planning Committee Report 11/07/2022 PLN018-22-Local Housing Strategy 2041:Housing Supply, Future Pipelines of Housing Development and Housing Targets.
https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/your-council/council-and-committee-meetings/council-and-committee-business-papers-and-minutes
SUTHERLAND SHIRE LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN (LEP) 2015
MINIMUM LOT SIZES FOR DUAL OCCUPANCIES AND TOWN HOUSES NOW IN FORCE
Minimum Lot sizes amendment for R2 Zone
The LEP amendment to require minimum lot sizes of 600 square metres for dual occupancies and 1200 square metres for town houses in the R2 Low Density zone and a minimum lot size of 700 square metres for dual occupancies in the R4 Environmental Living Zone came into effect in February 2019.
Despite the amendment it will still be possible to build dual occupancies on 19,124 lots in the R2 and E4 Zones.
To achieve a 1200 square metre site for townhouses in the R2 Zone it may be necessary to amalgamate 2 lots.
Sutherland Shire Council is one of only 7 councils in Sydney which allow medium density townhouses in the R2 ZONE.
NEW SUTHERLAND SHIRE LEP - MORE HIGH DENSITY FOR MIRANDA
The Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) sets out the future direction for planning in Sutherland Shire over 5,10 and 20 years. The LSPS is based on the State Government South District Plan. Miranda and Sutherland are named as strategic centres in the South District Plan. The LSPS is now in force
See Housing Strategy Page for more details.
Council must amend LEP 2015 based on the directions and actions required by the South District Plan and LSPS and show where additional dwellings from 2021 will be located.
Council intends to continue policy of increasing density within 800metres of centres, particularly in Sutherland and Miranda.
LEP 2015 came into force on 23/6/2015. The LEP will allow for more dwellings than the target number required by the State Government.
Between 2011 and 2016 there was a marked increase in the number of families with children living in flats and this trend is expected to continue.
The number of people aged over 70 is forecast to increase 69% over the next 20 years.
What are some of the main changes under LEP 2015?
-There is no minimum lot size required for dual occupancies, villas, townhouses or units.
-The amount of landscaped area required has been reduced in all residential zones.
-In low density zones, increased floor spaces and reduced landscaped areas apply-larger houses dual occupancies and town house developments with bigger footprints and smaller backyards are possible.
-In R3 medium density zone an increased building height of 9m allows 3 storey houses, dual occupancies and townhouses over basement car parks.
-Building heights and floor spaces have increased in R4 Unit zones.
-Additional areas for high-rise units have been rezoned in and around centres.
