Go Back

Mosman Scenic Protection Area

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Sydney Harbour is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful urban harbours in the world and the gateway to Sydney. Mosman, being prominently located within Sydney Harbour across from The Heads, is an integral part of this landscape, and protecting the visual significance and landscape quality of Mosman’s foreshore slopes, and the amenity of existing residential properties, has been a Council priority for many years.

Through careful planning and ongoing lobbying by Council, the foreshore lands - known as the Mosman Scenic Protection Area - have been excluded from the NSW Government’s Housing Code since 2009. However the exclusion is time limited and, despite continued efforts by Council to obtain more permanent protective measures, is due to cease on 30 November 2021.

The Housing Code was introduced by the NSW Government to allow ‘fast track’ approval (known as complying development) of new one and two storey dwelling houses, and alterations/additions to existing dwelling houses, under State-wide controls and the private certification system, bypassing the need for Council approval and the development application process. However, as complying development:

  • There would be no meaningful consultation with surrounding landowners.
  • Council’s long-standing controls for building bulk/scale, landscaping, view sharing, privacy, overshadowing and the visual impact of development, would not be considered.
  • The impact this may have on residents’ amenity as well as the landscape, particularly in a cumulative sense, may be detrimental and irreversible.

To ensure ongoing protection of foreshore land, an option being explored by Council is to apply an E4 Environmental Living zone to all land within the Scenic Protection Area that is currently zoned R2 Low Density Residential under Mosman Local Environmental Plan 2012. The land would remain a low-density residential area with Council controls continuing to apply. The Housing Code would not apply to land zoned E4.

Council is in the initial stages of considering this option and is writing to affected landowners seeking feedback. A short survey is included below, and further information contained within the FAQ. Submissions are welcomed, in writing, to Council by 5 October 2020.

Enquiries: Joe Vertel, Senior Planning Advisor, on 9978 4214, or Kelly Lynch, Senior Strategic Planner, on 9978 4058.

Sydney Harbour is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful urban harbours in the world and the gateway to Sydney. Mosman, being prominently located within Sydney Harbour across from The Heads, is an integral part of this landscape, and protecting the visual significance and landscape quality of Mosman’s foreshore slopes, and the amenity of existing residential properties, has been a Council priority for many years.

Through careful planning and ongoing lobbying by Council, the foreshore lands - known as the Mosman Scenic Protection Area - have been excluded from the NSW Government’s Housing Code since 2009. However the exclusion is time limited and, despite continued efforts by Council to obtain more permanent protective measures, is due to cease on 30 November 2021.

The Housing Code was introduced by the NSW Government to allow ‘fast track’ approval (known as complying development) of new one and two storey dwelling houses, and alterations/additions to existing dwelling houses, under State-wide controls and the private certification system, bypassing the need for Council approval and the development application process. However, as complying development:

  • There would be no meaningful consultation with surrounding landowners.
  • Council’s long-standing controls for building bulk/scale, landscaping, view sharing, privacy, overshadowing and the visual impact of development, would not be considered.
  • The impact this may have on residents’ amenity as well as the landscape, particularly in a cumulative sense, may be detrimental and irreversible.

To ensure ongoing protection of foreshore land, an option being explored by Council is to apply an E4 Environmental Living zone to all land within the Scenic Protection Area that is currently zoned R2 Low Density Residential under Mosman Local Environmental Plan 2012. The land would remain a low-density residential area with Council controls continuing to apply. The Housing Code would not apply to land zoned E4.

Council is in the initial stages of considering this option and is writing to affected landowners seeking feedback. A short survey is included below, and further information contained within the FAQ. Submissions are welcomed, in writing, to Council by 5 October 2020.

Enquiries: Joe Vertel, Senior Planning Advisor, on 9978 4214, or Kelly Lynch, Senior Strategic Planner, on 9978 4058.