In response to both internal and external comments the document was restructured and simplified clearly dividing the controls into sections eg: Aboriginal, Historical Archaeology, Heritage Items and Heritage Conservation Areas, Development in the Vicinity to make the document easier to use for both internal and external users. Supporting or additional information was relocated to the back of the document to streamline the document and remove “clutter”.

Explanations were improved at the beginning of each section eg: better explanation of what “in the Vicinity”, means. Additionally, clearer explanation has been provided for the requirements for each type of development.

Controls were amended to be performance based focusing on the desired outcomes rather than dictating specific methods and standards. This has been achieved by providing objectives against each relevant section. These objectives must be achieved.

Consultation with DA staff and the experience of the heritage team identified the need to change to a more performance-based approach because each heritage item is different and heritage significance is different this allows more creative responses.

Prescriptive controls were not achieving best practice outcomes.

This was addressed in response to a review undertaken by Council’s Environmental Management team and in response to DA staff comments.

Controls were amended to more clearly identify what assessments are required (under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NP&W Act) and by Heritage NSW) by Applicants and the process required to be undertaken was made clearer through restructuring controls.

In response to Council Resolution C-26/897 on 27 January 2026 (see link below) the following amendments have now been made:

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Requirement R1 has been amended to add a new line after the assessment of landscape section:

“Such assessment may be performed by any person without any particular qualifications.”

A new requirement R4 has been added as follows:

The following categories of development are not required under this Development Control Plan to undertake any investigation of potential impacts to Aboriginal objects and control.

i. Development on any lot having an area less than 800m2 (whether or not that land shows clear and observable changes to the lands surface by human activity,

ii. Development on land (of any size) that shows clear and observable changes to the land’s surface by human activity,

iii. However, persons carrying out development to which this clause applies should consider the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) and the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 relating to Aboriginal objects and places.

The NSW Government Architect introduced the Connecting to Country Framework in 2023. In an area with such rich aboriginal heritage as the Central Coast, the team considered that incorporation of Connecting to Country requirements was an important way to help recognise and celebrate indigenous heritage.

Development proposals on sites of 20ha or more, those progressing to the design excellence panel, development located in areas of Aboriginal significance or any public domain/urban design project on sites more than 1000m2 is now required to demonstrate how the connecting to Country Framework has been implemented & outcomes of engagement have informed the design outcomes.

This section has been added to give applicants and those working with archaeological sites more direction and certainty of the assessment process for historical archaeology, which is primarily set out under the NSW Heritage Act 1977 and may require an Exemption or Approval from Heritage NSW.

This section has been updated to provide increased guidance on the requirements that relate to internal works to be undertaken to a heritage listed item.

In response to Council Resolution C-26/897 on 27 January 2026 (see link below), the existing demolition and replacement controls are now contained within 3.6.4.12 of the Draft Heritage DCP Chapter.

Note: The clause numbering has changed to fit with numbering in the new Draft Heritage DCP Chapter, and subsequent sections have been renumbered.

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New sections on landscape heritage and cemeteries, monuments and memorials have been included to respond to best practice heritage consideration and the local heritage conditions on the Central Coast. The section on cemeteries was identified as a need by Council’s Cemetries and Heritage teams.

The controls have been updated to provide information on how a building contributes to heritage conservation areas. This has been achieved by identifying whether buildings within heritage conservation areas are contributory, non-contributory or neutral, with requirements being set out for each. This provides clearer information for property owners and development assessment staff on how those buildings should be considered.

The mapping information that identified whether buildings were contributory, non-contributory or neutral was produced as part of a Heritage NSW grant project in 2020/21.

In response to comments from development assessment staff, this section provides clearer explanation of what constitutes “Development in the Vicinity” with objectives and requirements being included. The aim of the requirement is to ensure that all relevant considerations, including view impacts to and from buildings, is considered when assessing development in the vicinity of a heritage item.

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If you require further information, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre. Any written feedback provided may also be made publicly available as (de-identified) verbatim comments in the reporting process.