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Draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2)

Project overview

The proposed draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2) seeks to update Council’s existing City of Parramatta Planning Agreements Policy (Amendment 1). Public exhibition of the draft policy provided an important opportunity for stakeholders including the community and the development industry to review the proposed provisions and provide feedback. This process helps to ensure the final policy is transparent, robust, and responsive to the needs and expectations of all stakeholders, while strengthening governance and maintaining public trust in Council’s planning system.

This Policy outlines Council’s approach to the negotiation and management of planning agreements when they are used in connection with planning proposals, development applications, or complying development certificates within the City of Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) under the relevant legislation.

The Policy applies to all planning agreements proposed or entered into by the City of Parramatta Council (“Council”) and applies to all land within the LGA, including land owned by Council. To the fullest extent possible, the Policy also applies to land outside the City of Parramatta LGA where a joint planning agreement is entered into between Council and another council or consent authority that applies in part to land outside the City of Parramatta LGA.

The updated draft Policy incorporates strengthened governance and probity measures, consistent with recommendations from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Planning Agreements Practice Note (May 2025). These updates position Parramatta’s framework as a robust and transparent model for the administration of planning agreements.

What are the aims of and main updates proposed to the draft Policy?

The updated draft Policy aims to provide a strengthened framework for negotiating, executing, and administering planning agreements in the City of Parramatta.

The draft Policy seeks to update Council’s existing Policy and introduces several key changes including:

  • The introduction of an Infrastructure Service Delivery Plan template to guide the identification and delivery of infrastructure through planning agreements.
  • The removal of the Land Application and Parramatta CBD Maps from Appendix A, as they are no longer required.
  • The deletion of references to the value sharing framework, as there is no value sharing mechanism under the Local Environmental Plan (LEP).
  • The removal of the clause relating to land value uplift to align with Council’s current policy position.
  • Expanded governance and probity measures to ensure the protection of the public interest and to prevent the misuse of planning agreements.
  • The inclusion of an Affordable Housing Contribution to support the delivery of affordable rental housing.
  • Additional detail on the procedures for negotiating planning agreements.
  • Updates to the clause regarding the registration of planning agreements and caveats to ensure public interests are appropriately protected.
  • A Capital Works Delivery section outlining detailed requirements where developers deliver public infrastructure under a planning agreement.

Submissions regarding the draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2) were invited until 5pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026. Thank you to everyone that had their say.

A report is now being prepared that will be presented to Council incorporating any public comment at a meeting in mid-2026, where the elected Councillors will be asked to adopt the final Policy. The Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2) will become effective once it is adopted by Council.

To stay updated, please follow this page.

Frequently asked questions

A Planning Agreement is a voluntary legal agreement between a developer, landowner and Council (or another planning authority). It sets out how the developer will contribute to public infrastructure, services, or other community benefits as part of a development. Planning Agreements are typically, but not always proposed when a developer proposes development which may exceed planning controls or some other special circumstance.  

Planning Agreements enable developers to provide public benefits in connection with planning proposal or development application. These contributions may include:


•    Dedication of land to Council
•    Monetary contributions
•    Delivery of public infrastructure (such as sportsgrounds, parks and community facilities)
•    Affordable housing
•    Other material public benefits


They offer flexibility to tailor contributions to the needs of the community and help ensure that development is supported by appropriate local infrastructure. Planning Agreements are voluntary, and developers cannot be compelled to enter into one. 
 

The use of Planning Agreements is governed by: 

 

  • Part 7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) which provides the legislative framework for planning agreements. 
  • Part 9 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (EP&A Regulation) which provides other procedural matters.  
     

The draft Policy has been prepared to update the existing framework so it aligns with current legislative requirements and best practice. It also aims to provide greater clarity, consistency, and transparency in how Planning Agreements are negotiated, implemented, and managed.

No. Existing Planning Agreements will continue to operate in accordance with their agreed terms. The draft Policy will apply to new Planning Agreements and, where relevant, to amendments of existing agreements.

The draft Policy aims to:


•    Ensure the framework aligns with current legislative requirements and best practice
•    Improve transparency and consistency in decision-making
•    Ensure contributions better align with community needs
•    Support timely delivery of infrastructure and services
•    Strengthen governance and administrative processes
 

The draft Policy includes a number of updates to improve clarity and consistency. A comparison table is provided to show the key differences between the current Policy and the draft Policy in a clear, side-by-side format. This helps stakeholders easily understand what has changed.

After the exhibition period:


•    All submissions will be reviewed and summarised
•    Any necessary changes to the draft Policy will be considered
•    A post exhibition report will be presented to Council for consideration and adoption of an updated policy. 
 

If you have questions or require any further information in relation to this exhibition, please contact us using the details below.


Email
participate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Subject: Draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2)


Phone
02 9806 5050


Post 
City of Parramatta Council
Attn: Belinda Borg / Phoebe Chen - Infrastructure Planning and Design
Subject: Draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2) 
PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124


Please ensure that you clearly state your full name, contact details and address.
 

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다른 언어로 전화 문의를 원하시면, 통번역 서비스(TIS National) 전화 131 450번으로 연락해 무료 통역을 이용하십시오. 파라마타 시 카운슬과 통화를 원한다고 말하고 해당 언어를 선택하시면 연결됩니다.

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市议会致力于确保每个人都能获得所需要的信息。如果您需要以其它语言或格式获取信息，请致电 1300 617 058 或发送电邮至 participate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

如果您希望以其它语言进行电话交谈，请致电 131 450 联系 TIS 全国服务中心获取免费传译服务。告诉他们您想与 Parramatta 市议会通话和您选用的语言，他们就会为您接通。

يلتزم المجلس بالتأكد من إمكانية وصول الجميع إلى المعلومات التي

يحتاجونها. إذا كنت ترغب في الحصول على معلومات بلغة أخرى أو نسق

آخر، يُرجى الاتصال على الرقم 1300617058 أو إرسال رسالة إلى

البريد الإلكتروني

participate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

إذا كنت ترغب في التحدث إلى أحد الموظفين عبر الهاتف بلغة أخرى،

TIS National اتصل بـ

على الرقم

131450

للحصول على خدمة ترجمة

مجانية. اخبرهم بأنك تريد التحدث إلى مجلس مدينة باراماتا وحدِّد لهم لغتك

المختارة وسوف يصلونك بالمجلس هاتفياً

Your language

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.

Timeline

  • icon
    9 March 2026

    Council Meeting approving draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2) to proceed to public exhibition
  • icon
    20 April - 20 May 2026

    Public exhibition period
  • icon
    Mid 2026

    Following a review of community feedback, the draft Planning Agreement Policy (Amendment 2) will be presented at a Council Meeting for adoption

Resources

Contact us

If you have questions or want to learn more about this project, please contact Council's Infrastructure Planning and Design team using the details below:

Phone: 02 9806 5050

Email: participate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.