Draft Site-Specific Development Controls - Stratheden Precinct

Background

Extensive planning has been undertaken for the Stratheden Precinct and wider locality. These include studies that have underpinned earlier rezoning as well as recent structure and infrastructure planning for the area, including the development of site-specific development controls. The land is currently zoned for residential purposes, namely R1 – General Residential and R2 – Low Density Residential.

The site was originally rezoned by the publication of Amendment No. 26 to the TRLEP on the NSW Legislation website on 2 June 2023. Extensive community consultation was undertaken in association with the public exhibition of the rezoning prior to adoption by Council.

Council initiated additional investigations and “charrette” workshops with the land owners and stakeholders to develop a structure plan which addresses housing diversity, urban design, stormwater management, road and subdivision design and dwelling density targets.

Based on the development of the structure plan, a Planning Proposal for the Stratheden Precinct was reported to the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 November 2021, with a resolution to obtain a ‘Gateway Determination’ from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE). The Planning Proposal sought to amend the TRLEP to support the outcomes of the “charrette” workshops by enabling an increase in housing density and diversity, residential amenity and supporting the needs of future residents.

The subject site is identified as a key future residential release area in the New England North West Regional Plan (NENWRP) 2036, Blueprint 100 Part 1 and Blueprint 100 Part 2 which is the Tamworth Regional LSPS 2020. As a result, the proposed site-specific development controls have strategic alignment with both Tamworth Regional Council’s principal land use planning strategies and the Regional Plan.

You can give your feedback before 4pm Thursday 11 December 2025 by:

Filling in the form below

Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Via post to:

The General Manager

Tamworth Regional Council

PO Box 555

A map of the area, highlighting the Stratheden precinct

Document Library

Proposed Amendments to Site-Specific Development Controls

The objectives of the draft development controls are to promote a mixture of lot sizes and housing types, incorporate high quality urban design principles, and improve the management of stormwater and natural amenity within the drainage reserve corridor. Based on these objectives, the key amendments proposed to the current DCP are:

Introduction of Desired Future Character Statements which are designed to provide objectives for the future development of the Stratheden Precinct and to emphasise the importance of housing diversity, high quality urban design principles and enhancement of the drainage reserve corridor.

Preparation of a structure plan that incorporates principles of high quality urban design as they relate to lot orientation, road layout, street amentity, design standards for buildings and linkages between the built form and quality public open space.
Inclusion of the draft Structure Plan documents and other supporting diagrams to provide clear and concise information on how to apply the controls and to reduce ambiguity.

Requirement for a minimum net residential density of 10 dwellings per hectare to be implemented for the R1 zoned area of the site and a minimum net residential density of two dwellings per hectare for the R2 zoned land. These dwelling density targets aim to promote the development of a mixture of housing typology and lot sizes while ensuring lot yield is aligned with infrastructure provisioning. This will be enforced through the draft Development Controls and by a new clause and a dwelling density map in the TRLEP.

Inclusion of specific controls relating to medium density development located in the identified “compact lots” area in the draft Structure Plan. These include the relaxation of some planning controls in order to facilitate the development of medium density development in these areas. Compact lots (250m2 – 600m2 ) have specifically been identified around high amenity areas, such as the public open spaces and the drainage reserve corridor.

Identification of the drainage reserve corridor which will serve to maintain the natural features of this area and contribute to the urban landscape and opportunity for passive recreation. Specific controls require passive recreation to be encouraged subject to approval from relevant agencies regarding provision of footpaths, cycleways, seating, etc. which are to be shown on subdivision plans. Existing trees must be retained within the drainage reserve corridor, while Compact Lots must address the drainage reserve corridor where access is provided from the rear.

Enabling a combination of laneways, nine metre and eleven metre wide local roads, collector roads and a boulevard from Browns Lane.

Tamworth Regional Council

Draft Site-Specific Development Controls - Stratheden Precinct

Background

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