Draft and Revised Strategic Planning Policies

Birds eye view of suburban housing block

Project Background

Council has drafted two new policies and revised an existing policy as part of its commitment to ensuring good governance of local infrastructure contributions. The new and revised policies aim to address potential risk and financial management issues, and to provide guidance and communicate requirements to stakeholders.

At its meeting on Wednesday 19 November, Council endorsed to place the draft and revised strategic planning policies on public exhibition for 28 days. You may view Councils meeting agenda and minutes from the meeting held on Wednesday 19 November via Council's Website here.


Draft Land Dedication Policy

The draft Land Dedication Policy sets out the conditions under which Council will accept land offered for dedication. It aims to prevent the community from bearing unnecessary costs by ensuring that any dedicated land is identified as needed in Council’s strategic plans, is fit for purpose, and does not impose financial, legal, or operational burdens.


Draft Works in Kind Agreement Policy

The draft Works in Kind (WIK) Agreement Policy sets out how Council manages agreements where developers provide infrastructure or facilities instead of paying monetary contributions under Section 7.11 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Works included must be listed in the adopted Contributions Plan works schedule.

The policy aims to ensure these agreements are fair, transparent, and comply with legal requirements. It explains that WIK Agreements are formal contracts between Council and developers and used to deliver public infrastructure sooner than would otherwise occur within the overall Contributions Plan.


Revised Planning Agreement Policy

The revised Planning Agreement Policy provides a clear and transparent framework for negotiating and implementing voluntary agreements between Council and developers to deliver public infrastructure and community benefits. It ensures that agreements are fair, accountable, and based on proper planning principles.

The policy outlines when and how planning agreements can be considered, the need for public notification and participation, and safeguards against fraud and conflicts of interest. It also sets standards for assessing agreements, including their alignment with strategic plans and public interest, and details roles, responsibilities, and compliance requirements for Council staff and developers.

The revised Policy and Guideline include updated terminology, reference to WIK Agreements and benefit sharing guidance for renewable energy projects.



Important Documents

  1. Draft Land Dedication Policy and draft Land Dedication Guideline
  2. Draft Works in Kind Agreement Policy and draft Works in Kind Guideline
  3. Revised Planning Agreement Policy and revised Planning Agreement Guideline



Frequently Asked Questions

Read our frequently asked questions.



Make a Submission

The Draft and Revised Strategic Planning Documents will be on public exhibition until Wednesday 11 February 2026 and submissions are invited from the community.

You can also view hard copies of the document at:

  • Council’s Administration Building (Customer Relations Section);
  • Cessnock City Library;

You can make a submission using the online form located below.

Written submissions should be addressed to The General Manager and will be accepted up until 5.00pm Wednesday 11 February 2026 via:

Project Background

Council has drafted two new policies and revised an existing policy as part of its commitment to ensuring good governance of local infrastructure contributions. The new and revised policies aim to address potential risk and financial management issues, and to provide guidance and communicate requirements to stakeholders.

At its meeting on Wednesday 19 November, Council endorsed to place the draft and revised strategic planning policies on public exhibition for 28 days. You may view Councils meeting agenda and minutes from the meeting held on Wednesday 19 November via Council's Website here.


Draft Land Dedication Policy

The draft Land Dedication Policy sets out the conditions under which Council will accept land offered for dedication. It aims to prevent the community from bearing unnecessary costs by ensuring that any dedicated land is identified as needed in Council’s strategic plans, is fit for purpose, and does not impose financial, legal, or operational burdens.


Draft Works in Kind Agreement Policy

The draft Works in Kind (WIK) Agreement Policy sets out how Council manages agreements where developers provide infrastructure or facilities instead of paying monetary contributions under Section 7.11 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Works included must be listed in the adopted Contributions Plan works schedule.

The policy aims to ensure these agreements are fair, transparent, and comply with legal requirements. It explains that WIK Agreements are formal contracts between Council and developers and used to deliver public infrastructure sooner than would otherwise occur within the overall Contributions Plan.


Revised Planning Agreement Policy

The revised Planning Agreement Policy provides a clear and transparent framework for negotiating and implementing voluntary agreements between Council and developers to deliver public infrastructure and community benefits. It ensures that agreements are fair, accountable, and based on proper planning principles.

The policy outlines when and how planning agreements can be considered, the need for public notification and participation, and safeguards against fraud and conflicts of interest. It also sets standards for assessing agreements, including their alignment with strategic plans and public interest, and details roles, responsibilities, and compliance requirements for Council staff and developers.

The revised Policy and Guideline include updated terminology, reference to WIK Agreements and benefit sharing guidance for renewable energy projects.



Important Documents

  1. Draft Land Dedication Policy and draft Land Dedication Guideline
  2. Draft Works in Kind Agreement Policy and draft Works in Kind Guideline
  3. Revised Planning Agreement Policy and revised Planning Agreement Guideline



Frequently Asked Questions

Read our frequently asked questions.



Make a Submission

The Draft and Revised Strategic Planning Documents will be on public exhibition until Wednesday 11 February 2026 and submissions are invited from the community.

You can also view hard copies of the document at:

  • Council’s Administration Building (Customer Relations Section);
  • Cessnock City Library;

You can make a submission using the online form located below.

Written submissions should be addressed to The General Manager and will be accepted up until 5.00pm Wednesday 11 February 2026 via:

  • Draft New & Revised Strategic Planning Policies

    All formal submissions must include your full name, postal address, and an email address if you have one.

    If your submission is an objection to a proposal, your reasons should be clearly provided. Make sure that you keep your letter relevant to the specific proposal.

    Make a submission
Page last updated: 09 Jan 2026, 12:05 PM