Economic Feasibility and Financial Analysis

The Central Sydney Planning Strategy and accompanying planning controls are part of the first major review of the Central Sydney planning framework in nearly 50 years.

The planning framework provides a path for investment and growth in Central Sydney that is supported by new infrastructure. It considers investment in commercial development, hotel and visitor accommodation, cultural uses and retail alongside residential living.

The planning framework phases out floor space incentives for residential uses and introduces design excellence incentives for commercial and employment-related uses. It amends development contributions into tiers by cost band, with the highest contributions levy rate increased from 1% to 3%.

In December 2020, the City of Sydney Council approved an amendment to the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 to support a planning proposal to amend the Sydney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012.

Amendments to the Sydney LEP were made in November 2021. The Central Sydney Development Contributions Plan 2020 which amends the contributions levy rate is also effective from November 2021.

Members of the Atlas team have been providing land economics advice for a number of years on the Central Sydney Planning Strategy. Most recently, Atlas worked with the City to test the impact of contributions on development activity and the capacity of contributions to support the delivery of infrastructure.