Planning and Heritage Investigations for Berry

This post provides an update on the:

• Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014.
• Draft new chapter of Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

The draft Planning Proposal and draft DCP Chapter were exhibited for community feedback from 6 August through to 19 September 2025. Council received detailed and constructive feedback, and we thank the community for its interest in the draft proposals.

Since exhibition the project team has considered the feedback received on the Planning Proposal and draft DCP Chapter in detail, undertaken further testing on the draft DCP controls and is considering potential adjustments in response to the feedback received.

We anticipate reporting back to the Council early next year to enable consideration of the community feedback and the possible finalisation of the Planning Proposal and draft DCP Chapter. Further updates will be provided prior to the Council report.

This post provides an update on the Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014.

This overall project also includes the preparation of a new chapter of Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

At the end of June, Council received a Gateway determination from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) authorising the Planning Proposal to proceed, subject to conditions.

One of the conditions requires Council to consult with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and provide 30 days to comment, prior to commencing public exhibition. Council has now referred the Planning Proposal to the RFS.

Once the RFS has been consulted, Council will exhibit the Planning Proposal and draft Development Control Plan Chapter N2: Town of Berry concurrently, as resolved on 29 April (MIN25.205).

A further update will be provided before the beginning of the exhibition period, including opportunities to have your say on the Planning Proposal and draft DCP Chapter.

Council considered the proposed draft Development Control Plan (DCP) Chapter for Berry on 29 April 2025 and resolved (MIN25.205) to formally exhibit it for at least 28 days, together with the related Planning Proposal if possible. The Planning Proposal seeks to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014 .

At this time, the Planning Proposal is with NSW Planning awaiting a Gateway determination (required initial approval for the Planning Proposal to proceed). Council will continue to follow this up with NSW Planning.

Council will receive a further report after the conclusion of the public exhibition period to consider the community feedback and any proposed amendments to the draft DCP Chapter and Planning Proposal, prior to their potential finalisation.

The full resolution of Council can be viewed here.

Council will now commence preparations to exhibit the draft DCP Chapter and Planning Proposal together (if possible). Further updates will be provided prior to the beginning of the exhibition period, including opportunities to have your say on the draft DCP Chapter and Planning Proposal.

It is anticipated that a report on the Proposed Draft Development Control Plan Chapter N2: Town of Berry will be discussed at the next ordinary meeting of Council.

• Forum: Ordinary Council Meeting (Council Chambers, Nowra Administration Building)
• Date: 29 April 2025
• Scheduled time: 5.30pm

About Council meetings: Further information about Council meetings is available here.

Access to information: The report and the recommendations will be available for viewing in the agenda which will be available online from the Thursday afternoon preceding the meeting. You can confirm this by checking Council’s website for updates on upcoming meetings and agendas. Please view these documents before making a deputation for or against what is recommended.

Request to speak: Should you wish to make a deputation regarding this matter, please submit an application via the online application form on Council’s website or contact Council’s Governance Team on 1300 293 111.

Live streaming: Information about streaming Council meetings is available on our website, click here.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Recordings of live streams will be accessible within 24-hours of the meeting concluding.
• We are aware there is a high-level of community interest in this matter. There is limited space available in the Public Gallery, and access to the Public Gallery will be closed once capacity is reached. Interested community members are encouraged to observe the meeting via the live streaming service.
• If you need further information about this matter, please contact the Local Planning Team on 1300 293 111. Please quote Council’s reference 76082E.

Supporting Documents:

• 29 July 2024 Council meeting - report and resolution
• Berry DCP Engagement Outcomes Report [published separately]

This post provides an update on the Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014.

This overall project also includes the preparation of a new chapter of Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

The draft DCP Chapter is being finalised and is expected to be reported to Council’s 29 April 2025 meeting. Council will consider the detail of the draft DCP Chapter and its future public exhibition. A further update will be provided to confirm when the report is finalised and included in the meeting agenda.

The Planning Proposal is awaiting a Gateway determination (required initial approval for the Planning Proposal to proceed). Council will continue to follow this up with NSW Planning.

Project updates will continue to be published on the Get Involved project page in the coming months.

This post provides an update on the Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014.

This overall project also includes the preparation of a new chapter of Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for the area of Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

Since the last update we have:

• Received comments from Heritage NSW supporting the Planning Proposal.
• Progressed internal consultation on the draft DCP Chapter with Council’s technical officers.
• Provided a briefing/overview to Councillors on the draft DCP Chapter.

Next steps:

• Complete internal Council staff consultation and incorporate feedback into the draft DCP Chapter.
• Receive the Gateway determination from NSW Planning (required approval for the Planning Proposal to proceed) - TBC.
• Prepare a report to Council to consider the detail of the draft DCP Chapter and its future public exhibition.

Project updates will continue to be published on the Get Involved project page in the coming months.

Council has progressed its work on a Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in the Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014.

As part of this work, Council is also preparing a new chapter of the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for the area of Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

Since the last update we have;

• Referred the Planning Proposal to NSW Planning for a Gateway determination (required approval to proceed further).
• Referred the Planning Proposal to Heritage NSW for required comment.
• Completed initial draft of the new DCP Chapter for Berry and commenced initial internal consultation with Council’s technical officers.

In the coming month and early next year we will;

• Complete internal Council staff consultation and incorporate feedback into the draft DCP Chapter.
• Received the required Gateway determination for the Planning Proposed (TBC).
• Receive comments from Heritage NSW and incorporate any feedback into the Planning Proposal.
• Brief Council on the draft DCP Chapter prior to it proceeding.

Project updates will continue to be published on the Get Involved project page in the coming months.

Council has progressed its work to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in the Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014.

As part of this work, Council is also preparing a new chapter of the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for the area of Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

Over the past month we have;

• Prepared a Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven LEP 2014.
• Commences preparing the initial draft of the new DCP Chapter for Berry.

In the coming month we will;

• Refer the Planning Proposal to NSW Heritage for comment
• Complete initial draft of the new DCP Chapter
• Commence consultation on the new DCP Chapter with internal stakeholders within Council.

Project updates will continue to be published on the Get Involved project page in the coming months.

The Council resolved at that Ordinary Meeting on 29 July 2024 to start the more formal preparation and consultation process (MIN24.396).

This relates to the preparation of a Planning Proposal (PP) to introduce:

• A new Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) in the area of Princess Street
• Nine new heritage items located within the proposed Princess Street HCA boundary
• Nine new heritage items located outside of the proposed Princess Street HCA boundary, but within the area of Berry east of the Princes Highway/bypass.

This piece of work forms part of Councils resolved Stage 1 work toward a new planning scheme for the Shoalhaven and builds on earlier work.

It also relates to the preparation of a draft new chapter for inclusion in the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for the area of Berry east of the Princess Highway/bypass.

The next stages are to:

• Submit the PP to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a Gateway determination and, if favourable, proceed to formally exhibit to the community (including affected landowners) in accordance with the terms of the determination and legislative requirements.
• Prepare and publicly exhibit the draft new DCP Chapter for Berry concurrently with the PP and in accordance with legislative requirements.
• Report the outcomes of the required future exhibition of the PP and the draft new DCP back to Council. At this point the Council will consider finalising the LEP amendment (arising from the PP) and DCP amendment.