Voluntary Planning Agreement Policy

The NSW planning framework enables Council’s to enter into agreements with proponents to provide public benefits in conjunction with a development or instrument change. The agreements are voluntary and the public benefits can be in the form of a monetary contribution, the dedication of land or the provision of material public benefits directly.

This Policy sets out Coffs Harbour City Council’s position and procedures relating to voluntary planning agreements (‘VPAs’) under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.

This Policy applies to any development application or request for an instrument change where a VPA is proposed, for land and development within the local government area of Coffs Harbour City Council.

This policy may be used in conjunction with Council’s Local Biodiversity Offsets Policy and Dedication of Land Policy to legally facilitate offset arrangements on Council Land and/or private land.