Hunters Hill Council’s Local Housing Strategy, adopted in early 2021, identified the potential for the Montefiore site to contribute toward future housing needs for the retirement and aged care sector. The Strategy identified the Montefiore site as one that is able to accommodate additional density.
In March 2022, the proponent presented to Council a draft Masterplan for an increase in independent living units on the Montefiore site. In September 2022, the project was notified to neighbours and an on-site two-hour information session was held.
Information about their proposed planning proposal is available on the Montefiore Website. It is anticipated that this information will be updated following community and Council feedback prior to potential lodgement in February 2023.
The Montefiore proposal will require amendments to the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to facilitate further housing development within the municipality in line with the broad direction identified within the Housing Strategy. A proponent-led Planning Proposal will be necessary to progress these proposed LEP amendments.
Urbis, who are acting on behalf of Montefiore, have indicated that a Planning Proposal will be submitted to Council in February 2023.
A Planning Proposal is a document (and supporting material) that explains the intended effect and justification of a proposed Local Environmental Plan (LEP) or amendment to an LEP.
An LEP is prepared by Council to guide planning decisions and is principally made up of a written document and associated maps. LEP provisions, such as zoning and development standards allow Council to manage the ways in which land is used.
An LEP is prepared in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act 1979), and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.
The LEP has the endorsement of the State Government and cannot be altered without State Government consent.
It is understood that the Montefiore Planning Proposal will likely seek to amend certain provisions of the Hunters Hill LEP, which apply to the Montefiore site (e.g. land use zoning and height of buildings). It is understood that this will seek to facilitate redevelopment of the Montefiore site.
A Gateway determination is a critical stage of the planning proposal process, which seeks to review strategic and site-specific merit. It also establishes whether the planning proposal should proceed to public exhibition and any conditions to be satisfied before the LEP is made or amended.
Through a Gateway Determination, the Minister or delegate decides whether a planning proposal can proceed, either with or without variation.
In summary:
For a comprehensive explanation of the planning proposal process, please view our process map.
Council has resolved to conduct a Public Meeting following the receipt of a Planning Proposal and initial assessment of its merits.
Council is also committed to liaise with residents via:
Council is also committed to meeting with residents regularly (and onsite) to provide updates and receive community feedback.
Formal consultation will also be undertaken as part of the planning proposal process as outlined above.
Timeline of meetings/briefings with Council:
When an LEP is proposed to be amended through a planning proposal, it must demonstrate strategic merit and:
Factors that lead to responding to a change in circumstances may include, but not exclusively relate
to:
Any planning proposal that seeks to address these criteria needs to be supported with clear and appropriate technical studies and justification.
Where a planning proposal fails to adequately demonstrate strategic merit then Council is unlikely to progress the proposal, despite any site-specific merit it may have.
For further information in relation to the LEP making process, please view the Local Environmental Plan Making Guideline.
22 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill NSW 2110
PO Box 21, Hunters Hill NSW 2110
Tel: (02) 9879 9400
E: customerservice@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
ABN: 75 570 316 011
We acknowledge that The Wallumedegal people of the Eora Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this land.