Background

A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the principal environmental planning instrument used by councils to regulate land use and influences planning and development decisions within the Local Government Area (LGA).


The LEP contains zoning and land use information, specifying what uses are permitted or prohibited in each zone, development controls such as height of buildings, floor space ratio and incentives for affordable housing, provisions for the reservation of land, protection of trees and heritage conservation, as well as a number of other environmental requirements.

The LEP is one component of the planning system as it relates to Waverley. For an overview of the planning system, watch the below video about the planning system.

Overview of the proposed changes

This Planning Proposal prepared by Waverley Council seeks to make updates to various parts of the Waverley Local Environmental Plan (WLEP) 2012, including but not limited to:

  • Minor housekeeping amendments and mapping updates,
  • Improvements to recently introduced clauses, and the
  • Introduction of exempt development pathway for the display of goods on the footpath.

This Planning Proposal contains some amendments that are site specific, and some amendments that apply to the entire LGA.

Specifically, the Planning Proposal seeks to amend the WLEP 2012 as follows:

Section of the WLEP 2012

Existing

Proposed

Clause 4.3 Height of buildings (1)

This clause provides strategic objectives to support height on building controls in the Waverley LGA.

Council is proposing to rewrite objective (a) in this clause, and delete objective (c).

See ‘additional explanation of provisions’ on page 7 of the Planning Proposal document for more details.

The current wording needs to be strengthened to protect against adverse overshadowing, overlooking and view loss.

Clause 6.14 Waste minimisation and recycling

This clause provides strategic objectives to support the highest standard of waste and recycling management in residential development.

Amend subclause (2) in apply to both the erection of a building as well as alterations and additions.

To ensure that buildings undergoing alterations and additions are also subject to high standards of waste management.

Schedule 2 Exempt development

No existing objective. Council is proposing a new objective to this Schedule.

To allow the operators of retail premises to place displays of goods on the footway outside of their premises without the need for Council approval.

This new objective will be supported by a new Local Approvals Policy for the Display of Goods on the Footpath.

Refer to the Draft Display of Goods on the Footpath Policy for an explanation of the proposed change to Schedule.

Mapping – Heritage, Lot Size, Land Zone

Mapping inconsistencies

As lots have adjusted their boundary lines some mapping affectations have not been updated accordingly to reflect the new cadastre and lot outline. This proposal seeks to amend these minor inconsistencies.
Mapping – Terrestrial Biodiversity Map Refer to Part 4 of the Planning Proposal document for mapping, as well as the Maps in the Document Library



1 Council-owned site and a minor portion along the rear boundary of 1 privately owned site has been identified on the recent 2020 remnant vegetation map (non-LEP map), so needs to be added to the WLEP Terrestrial Biodiversity Map for consistency.


Please read the Planning Proposal report in the Document Library for further detail.

Understanding the Planning System

How to submit feedback

Please submit your feedback on the Planning Proposal through one of the following methods:

Feedback closes at midnight, Friday the 24th of October 2025.

Please note that the comments submitted will form part of Council’s public record and as such can be made available for public viewing on request.

For more information, please contact Leonardo Shaw-Voysey, Strategic Town Planner, through Council’s Customer Service on 9083 8000, or via email at strategictownplanning@waverley.nsw.gov.au