Council has been granted an extension to the Gateway Determination for Planning Proposal PP073 Local Character Planning Proposal to enable further consider the proposal.  The date for completion has been extended from 14 March 2025 to 18 July 2025 (an extension of around 4 months).

 The request for an extension follows Council’s 10 December 2024 resolution (MIN24.655):

 That Council:

1.         Pause Planning Proposal PP073 and the drafting of character statements and design guidelines to be considered including work on the new Land Use Planning Scheme (Local Environmental Plan), until such time as Council can hold a briefing to receive information on the background and status.

2.         Acknowledge that the Shoalhaven Development Industry Reference Group has workshopped design at a previous meeting.

3.         Ensure there is adequate Community involvement/consultation in the development of any Character and Design Guidelines or requirements.

4.         Ensure this issue is investigated with other items yet to emerge impacting housing supply.

Lou Casmiri 4th March 2023

The requested briefing is scheduled to occur on 3 April 2025.

I can advise as follows:

• Given the current Gateway approval expires in 14^th March 2025, Council staff have formally sought an extension to the Gateway timeframe for this Planning Proposal and are currently awaiting a formal response from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure (DPHI). The extension to the Gateway timeframe has been sought to give Council time to be briefed and determine the next steps in regard to this matter. The early indication is that an extension will be granted.
• At this stage the resolved Council Briefing will take place in early April 2025. Following the briefing staff will then report the matter back to Council for formal consideration re next steps. At this point we cannot advise when this matter will be reported back to Council as this will depend on the discussion at the briefing.
• There are currently no plans to hold public briefings or similar in regard to this matter. This option can be canvassed in the briefing with Council and if needed considered in the subsequent report back to Council on this matter.

Thank you for your interest in this matter