_The Future of Parramatta CBD Finalised

The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has published the final instrument and associated mapping which will come into effect on 14 October 2022 allowing the DPE time to finalise the assessment of the Draft Parramatta CBD Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan and Council to finalise the City Centre DCP.

The DPE highlights that “The finalisation of the City Centre Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is a significant milestone in the growth and evolution of the Parramatta CBD after many years of research, strategic planning and stakeholder consultation.”

A number of significant changes have been made to the LEP by the DPE to the version that was adopted by Council in June 2021.

One of the major changes is the removal of North Parramatta and the Phillip Street Block from the CBD area.

Both areas will retain their existing controls, with the DPE noting further review of the North Parramatta area will be required before any changes are made to planning controls.

Other changes by the DPE include removing clauses and controls regarding opportunity sites, unlimited commercial/office premises Floor Space Ratio (FSR) controls and community infrastructure principles.

These clauses in the version of the Planning Proposal (PP) adopted by Council all related to additional FSR and height incentive mechanisms embedded within the proposed LEP.

Knight Frank Town Planning can assist in understanding the key differences from the proposed instrument to what has been finalised by the DPE, and what this might mean for future use of properties in the CBD area.