FAQs

A Development Control Plan (DCP) gives detailed rules for planning and designing developments, supporting the main planning controls in a council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP)(External link). Every council must share their DCPs on the Planning Portal.  

You can view Development Control Plan/s here.(External link)

No. Lawfully approved or exempt development will not be impacted by the proposed changes. If Council adopts the proposed changes, they will only apply to new developments or where a change of use is proposed (for instance, if a proponent lodges an application to Council to change or expand a use).

If adopted, this draft chapter will replace the existing DCP chapter: D5 – Outdoor Signage, available here(External link).

The draft DCP chapter will apply to all forms of signage and outdoor advertising in the Cessnock Local Government Area that requires a Development Application (DA) - see details on exclusions below. This DCP does not apply to protest signage, or temporary directional or informational signs used by roads authorities. 

This chapter has been updated to remove outdated content, to ensure that it is concise and adheres to state government planning policies.  

The draft updated chapter encourages applicants to make use of the provisions of the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, known as the Codes SEPP, which provides a wide variety of signs with an exemption from DA requirements. This offers time and cost savings by avoiding the need to lodge a DA, provided the specifications of the SEPP are met. Signage types provided with a DA exemption under the Codes SEPP includes: 

• Building Identification Signs
• Wall Signs
• Fascia Signs
• Under Awning Signs
• Top Hamper Signs
• Window Signs
• Internal Signs
• Community Notice and Public Information Signs
• Temporary Event Signs
• Real Estate Signs
• Election (Political) Signs 
• Agritourism Signs

In addition to the DA exemptions provided by the Codes SEPP, certain signage types may be erected as Complying Development in business, employment, mixed use, industrial or special purpose zones. These include: Projecting Wall signs, Freestanding Pylon and Directory Board Signs.

The draft Signage and Outdoor Advertising DCP chapter includes general signage controls applying to all signage that requires a DA, as well as specific controls that apply to specific signage types, where applicable.

It provides design guidelines to ensure signage does not adversely affect the safety of motorists, pedestrians or cyclists, is of a high-quality, sympathetic to the architectural style of the building and surroundings.

The draft DCP chapter does not include specific planning controls for signage types provided with an exemption by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) - Codes SEPP – see Signage not requiring a Development Application (DA) for details. If an applicant wishes to lodge a DA for a signage type listed above that does not meet the specifications of the Codes SEPP, the approach proposed by the draft DCP chapter is to refer to the relevant development controls included within the Codes SEPP along with the general controls included in this draft DCP chapter. This allows consideration of issues such as surrounding land uses, street character, quality of signage materials and the safety of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, while allowing a degree of flexibility to vary the numerical standards of the Codes SEPP, wherever justified.

Noting that a DCP is not able to provide exemptions from DA requirements, outdated references to DA exemptions provided by the statutory planning controls have been removed from the draft updated chapter. The chapter instead refers applicants to the Codes SEPP for up-to-date exemptions provided by State planning policy. 

The draft DCP chapter includes an updated table that identifies where certain signage types are permissible. The updated table has been based on current LEP permissibility for different signage types and/or the permissibility of land uses that typically employ the particular signage type. 

To ensure road users stay focused on traffic conditions, signs, signals, and potential hazards while promoting a safe and attractive environment, the draft chapter preserves several existing restrictions from the current DCP signage chapter that apply across the Local Government Area (LGA). These restrictions apply to the following types of signage: above awning signs (attached to the top of an awning), animated or moving signs (including neon, flashing, or pulsing), inflatable signs, anchored airborne signs, roof or sky signs, trailer/vehicle signs, and signs attached to trees, utility poles, or similar structures.

If adopted, this draft chapter will replace the existing DCP chapter: D4 – Purpose Built            Tourist Accommodation, available here(External link).

The draft DCP chapter will apply to camping grounds, tourist and visitor accommodation and eco-tourist facilities requiring a Development Application (DA) on land zoned RU2 Rural Landscape, C2 Environmental Conservation, C3 Environmental Management and C4 Environmental Living.

The existing DCP chapter is considered out of date and does not align with the recently updated Objectives or permissibility of land uses within the rural or conservation zones in Cessnock Local Environmental Plan (LEP).  To maintain the integrity of rural landscapes and to continue to support agriculture, it is important that tourism operations do not undermine the qualities and function of rural and environmental lands or place unreasonable demands on rural neighbourhoods, roads or other infrastructure.    

The draft ‘Tourist and Visitor Accommodation on Rural and Conservation Lands’ DCP chapter includes provisions on:

1. Site analysis
2. Rural character
3. Landscaping
4. Servicing, Access and Safety
5. Environmental and Heritage Impacts 
6. Density provisions

The proposed methodology and definitions used for calculating density rates have been revised for clarity and consistency with the approach taken in the draft Vineyards District DCP Chapter.

Proposed density rates have been amended in the draft chapter for consistency with revised Cessnock LEP zone objectives for the rural and conservation zones and to ensure that rural tourist development is genuinely small-scale.  The proposed rates match the densities permitted by the NSW Government’s agritourism planning framework under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 which share similar aims to the current draft chapter. 

By reducing the allowable density of rural tourist accommodation, the benefits of tourist development can be balanced with the potential impact of that development in rural areas area may have on neighbours, rural roads and the community. Draft DCP Provisions for Tourist Accommodation Density in rural and environmental zones can be viewed in the exhibition document.

If adopted, the draft chapter will replace the existing DCP chapter: E3 – Vineyards District, available here(External link).

The draft DCP chapter will apply to all forms of development in the Cessnock Vineyards District that requires a Development Application (DA).

The Cessnock Vineyards District is located to the northwest of the Cessnock Town Centre and is primarily zoned RU4 Primary Production Small Lots.

Key changes include the addition of Local Character Statements, Additional controls for larger scale development, Amended density rates for tourist and visitor accommodation, a design excellence provision and amendments to building setback controls. These can be viewed in full in the draft Vineyards District DCP exhibition document, or summarised in the draft Vineyards District DCP Explanatory Statement