Cooks Cove proposals must meet listed precinct planning principles.
Applies to: Cooks Cove Precinct in the Bayside LGA (Map Sheet LAP_001)A planning proposal for the Cooks Cove Precinct must be consistent with a set of planning principles covering environmental repair, transport links, liveability, design quality, foreshore access, airport operations, walking/cycling connectivity, road safety and environmental protection.
This is a place-based section 9.1 planning direction that targets a single specific area — the Cooks Cove Precinct in the Bayside local government area (mapped on Map Sheet LAP_001). Its purpose is to make sure that any change to the planning rules for that land (a planning proposal, which is a proposal to amend a local environmental plan) is drafted so it lines up with a fixed set of nine 'Cooks Cove Planning Principles'. These principles cover matters such as environmental repair, foreshore access, protecting the market garden, safeguarding Sydney Airport, preserving future transport corridors and delivering good design.
The mechanics are straightforward: when a planning proposal authority (usually the council, or the Department, when preparing a proposal for this precinct) works up a planning proposal, it must ensure the proposal is consistent with all nine listed principles. If the proposal does not fit those principles, it cannot simply proceed — the authority has to seek the Planning Secretary's (or nominee's) agreement, and can only get it by showing the inconsistency is minor and does not undermine the overall intent.
For a non-lawyer, the key point is that this direction shapes the strategic planning stage (making or changing zoning and controls) rather than individual development applications. It is highly localised: it only bites on land inside the Cooks Cove Precinct in Bayside. It replaced an earlier equivalent direction (7.10) and commenced on 1 March 2022.
A 'planning proposal authority' preparing a planning proposal for land within the Cooks Cove Precinct in the Bayside LGA — in practice the relevant council or the Department acting in that role. It does not, on its face, bind consent authorities assessing individual DAs.
It is triggered when a planning proposal authority prepares a planning proposal for land within the Cooks Cove Precinct in the Bayside local government area, as shown on Map Sheet LAP_001.
A planning proposal may be inconsistent only if the planning proposal authority satisfies the Planning Secretary (or nominee) that the inconsistent provisions are of minor significance and that the proposal achieves the overall intent of the plan and does not undermine achievement of the Cooks Cove planning principles.
References the Cooks Cove Planning Principles, the NSW design policy Better Placed, Future Transport 2056 and the Greater Sydney Region Plan (in relation to the South-East Mass Transit link), and Map Sheet LAP_001. It is a section 9.1 direction and replaces previous Direction 7.10.
The planning proposal must enable the environmental repair of the site and provide for new recreation opportunities.
The proposal must not compromise future transport links such as the South-East Mass Transit link identified in Future Transport 2056 and the Greater Sydney Region Plan, considering the preserved surface infrastructure corridor and constraints including the Cooks River, geology, Sydney Airport and existing infrastructure.
The proposal must provide choice for the needs of residents, workers and visitors to Cooks Cove.
Design must be best practice with high quality amenity, referencing the NSW design policy Better Placed.
Deliver an enhanced, attractive, connected and publicly accessible foreshore and public open space network and protect and enhance the existing market garden.
The proposal must safeguard the ongoing operation of Sydney Airport.
This direction does not apply to Kiama. It is strictly place-based, applying only to the Cooks Cove Precinct in the Bayside LGA in southern Sydney. Kiama Council preparing a planning proposal for land in the Kiama LGA would have no obligations under Direction 1.12; it is included for completeness of the directions list only.
1.12 Implementation of Planning Principles for the Cooks Cove Precinct Objective The objective of this direction is to ensure development within the Cooks Cove Precinct is consistent with the Cooks Cove Planning Principles. Application This direction applies when a planning proposal authority prepares a planning proposal for land within the Cooks Cove Precinct in the Bayside local government area, as shown on Map Sheet LAP_001 Cooks Cove Precinct Section 9.1 Direction. Direction 1.12 (1) A planning proposal authority must ensure that a planning proposal is consistent with the following principles: (a) Enable the environmental repair of the site and provide for new recreation opportunities; (b) Not compromise future transport links (such as the South-East Mass Transit link identified in Future Transport 2056 and the Greater Sydney Region Plan) that will include the consideration of the preserved surface infrastructure corridor, noting constraints, including the Cooks River, geology, Sydney Airport and existing infrastructure will likely necessitate consideration of future sub -surface solutions and potential surface support uses; (c) Create a highly liveable community that provides choice for the needs of residents, workers and visitors to Cooks Cove; (d) Ensure best practice design and a high quality amenity with reference to the NSW design policy Better Placed; (e) Deliver an enhanced, attractive, connected and publicly accessible foreshore and public open space network and protect and enhance the existing market garden; (f) Safeguard the ongoing operation of Sydney Airport; (g) Enhance walking and cycling connectivity and the use of public transport to encourage and support a healthy and diverse community and help deliver a 30-minute city; (h) Deliver a safe road network that balances movement and place, provides connections to the immediate and surrounding areas, and is cognisant of the traffic conditions in this area; and (i) Enhance the environmental attributes of the site, including protected flora and fauna, riparian areas and wetlands and heritage. Consistency A planning proposal may be inconsistent with the terms of this direction only if the planning proposal authority can satisfy the Planning Secretary (or their nominee), that: (a) the provisions of the planning proposal that are inconsistent are of minor significance, and (b) the planning proposal achieves the overall intent of the plan and does not undermine the achievement of the planning principles for the Cooks Cove Precinct. Note: Map Sheet LAP_001 Cooks Cove Precinct Section 9.1 Direction is available on the Department of Planning and Environment website Issued to commence 1 March 2022 (replaces previous Direction 7.10)
Reproduced from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (planning.nsw.gov.au), © State of New South Wales, under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Text extraction may introduce minor formatting artefacts — rely on the for anything decision-critical.
This is an unofficial reproduction provided for convenience. It is not the official version of the legislation. For the official, in-force version, see legislation.nsw.gov.au.
Enhance walking and cycling connectivity and public transport use to support a healthy, diverse community and help deliver a 30-minute city.
Provide a safe road network that balances movement and place, connects to surrounding areas and is cognisant of local traffic conditions.
Enhance the site's environmental attributes including protected flora and fauna, riparian areas, wetlands and heritage.