Updated Huntlee Development Control Plan

About the project

Council is reviewing and updating the Development Control Plan (DCP) for Huntlee, on behalf of the applicant, to ensure they match the latest approved plans for Stage 2 of the Huntlee project.

The proposed changes update existing rules so they better reflect how Huntlee is being developed now and into the future. The DCP has been formatted to the new template with updated references to legislation, standards and guidelines. The current chapter is located at DCP 2010 Chapter E17: Huntlee.

Council is seeking community feedback on the draft amendments to this chapter outlined in the exhibition document.

Project history

A concept Masterplan for Stage 2 of Huntlee was lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DHPI) in mid-2024 as a State Significant Development. Stage 2 is expected to deliver an additional 4,000 - 5,000 residential lots across Singleton and Cessnock LGAs, as well as an expansion of the existing Town Centre to the north, east and west of its current location.

The initial Chapter E17: Huntlee within the DCP 2010 was adopted by Council in March 2018. This related to Stage 1 of the development, exclusive of the ARIA large lot residential estate. Since 2018 the Chapter was amended once coming into effect in January 2024 which incorporated amendments relating to medium density development. This amended DCP Chapter is the second amendment since 2018.

Proposed changes

The primary proposed updates from the applicant include:

• Removing references to some village centres that have been reduced or removed in the approved development plans
• Introducing a new “narrow lot” housing option, allowing for more compact homes and dual occupancy housing in suitable areas
• Updating development rules for areas affected by mine subsidence, in line with current assessment and safety requirements
• Improving landscaping requirements, including updated tree numbers and a wider range of tree species
• Adding clear summary tables to make residential development controls easier to understand

The lot type plan will continue to be available on Council’s online mapping system.

As part of the review, Council is also proposing several improvements to make the DCP Chapter clearer and more up to date. These include:

• Updating references to current laws, standards and guidelines
• Making sure relevant Council policies, plans and guidelines, such as the Engineering Guidelines for Design and Construction, are clearly reflected
• Clarifying and refining development rules to address common issues that arise during development assessments
• Adding specific development rules for the ARIA large lot residential estate
• Applying Council’s updated DCP 2010 Chapter template, which streamlines the content, improves readability, and removes outdated or unnecessary appendices

These changes are intended to make the chapter easier to understand and apply for the community, applicants and Council staff.

Huntlee as State Significant Development

At our pop-ups in Branxton and North Rothbury, we received enquiries about a map of Huntlee and if the lots near Old North Road are progressing. Please note these enquiries relate to Huntlee New Town Stage 2 as a State Significant Development. The concept plan is available for viewing on the NSW Planning website - see link here. This is managed by the NSW Government and is outside of and separate to the Updated Huntlee Development Control Plan on public exhibition here on Together Cessnock.

Important Documents

1. DCP 2010 Chapter E17 Huntlee - Table of Amendments
2. DCP 2010 Chapter E17 Huntlee - Draft Document on Public Exhibition
3. DCP 2010 Chapter E17 Huntlee - Draft Document with Tracked Changes
4. DCP 2010 Chapter E17 Huntlee - Current Adopted Chapter E17
5. Report to Ordinary Meeting of Council - 18 March 2026 - Amendment of DCP 2010 Chapter E17 Huntlee

Meet the team

Come and join us at a pop-up location:

• Tuesday 21 April 10am - 12noon outside IGA Branxton, 52 Maitland Road Branxton
• Thursday 23 April 2pm - 4pm inside Huntlee Shopping Centre, 22 Empire Street Branxton
• Saturday 2 May 9am - 1pm Huntlee Markets, 1 Triton Boulevarde, North Rothbury

Stay tuned to Council's Facebook page so you are informed in case of any changes due to weather.

How to make a submission

This project will be on public exhibition from Friday 10 April 2026 to Monday 11 May 2026 and submissions are invited from the community.

You can also view hard copies of the documents at:

• Council’s Administration Building (Customer Relations Section)
• Cessnock City Library
• Huntlee Sales Office (Reception Desk)

You can make a submission using the online form located below or by clicking this link.

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

• Email to council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au ;
• In person: over the counter at Cessnock City Council Administration building: 62-78 Vincent St, Cessnock NSW 2325
• Post to PO Box 152, CESSNOCK NSW 2325