Hornsby Shire Council has resolved to seek support from councils across NSW for changes that would see affected neighbour notifications retained for development applications.
At its recent meeting, the Council resolved to submit a motion calling on Local Government NSW to advocate to the State Government to reinstate affected neighbour notification and public input for all local development applications.
The motion is proposed in response to the NSW Government’s draft Statewide Community Participation Plan, which would reduce public notification requirements for some development applications.
The move builds on Council’s previous advocacy to the NSW Government, including a submission raising concerns that the proposed changes could reduce transparency and limit opportunities for residents to have a meaningful say on developments that affect their neighbourhoods.
The proposed motion argues that affected neighbours should continue to be notified about developments that may impact them and that community consultation remains an essential part of the planning process. It also notes that public notification typically occurs alongside assessment and referral processes and therefore does not cause unnecessary delays to development assessment timeframes.
Mayor, Warren Waddell said residents should not lose the opportunity to understand and comment on developments that may affect their homes and neighbourhoods.
“People expect to be informed when development is proposed next door or in their local area. We’re asking councils across NSW to support a planning system that remains transparent, gives communities a voice and maintains confidence in the decisions being made.”
Council also resolved to submit a second motion to the conference seeking the repeal of Section 236A of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, which currently restricts councillor briefing sessions and workshops on matters that may later come before Council for formal determination.
The Local Government NSW Annual Conference brings together councils from across the state to debate issues affecting local government and determine advocacy priorities for the sector.
Also at last night’s meeting, Council:
- Endorsed the submission of a Development Application for the Wallarobba Arts Precinct
- Endorsed the Employment Lands Planning Proposal
- Adopted recommendations for the Vehicular Crossings Policy
- Adopted the Long Term Financial Plan for the period 2026/27 to 2035/36
- On receiving a Mayoral Minute, resolved to continue to progress an off-road link between the Westleigh Park mountain bike trails and Hornsby Park
- On receiving two Notice of Motions about Cherrybrook library services, resolved to progress delivery of the Library Strategic Plan and community consultation, and investigate the installation of a library book locker at Cherrybrook community centre
- On receiving a Notice of Motion, resolved to advocate to the relevant NSW Government agencies to develop a Brooklyn Harbour Precinct Management and Revitalisation Plan that addresses critical operational and navigational challenges within Brooklyn Harbour
- Noted that Councillor expenses and facilities for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 have been tabled.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from Friday afternoon.
