Town planning · Randwick NSW
Town planning in Randwick. Consider the coastal setting.
Randwick includes light-rail-linked town centres and established neighbourhoods around Kensington, Kingsford, Maroubra and the eastern beaches. We provide practical planning advice, Preliminary Planning Reports, DA and SEE services, and CD Planning Assessments to accompany applications to Building Certifiers.
NSW housing reforms
Low and Mid-Rise Housing in Randwick
The NSW Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, under Chapter 6 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021, allows additional residential development types in qualifying locations near nominated centres. Eligibility generally requires 800 metres walking distance along an accessible route from the station entrance or mapped town-centre boundary—not an 800-metre radius. The actual zoning, exclusions and operative statutory requirements must also be assessed.
Indicative NSW Government map
Use the interactive map to screen potential LMR Housing areas. Mapping alone is not a statutory site determination; individual land constraints and walking routes require confirmation.
View the NSW LMR Housing mapNominated stations and centres
5 nominated Randwick LMR locations
The following are identified on the NSW Government's nominated-centre list within or shared with this local government area. Inclusion of a station or shopping centre does not guarantee that a property qualifies for the policy.
Current local planning framework
Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012 and Randwick DCP 2025 Stage 2 and retained DCP 2013 parts
Randwick LEP 2012 establishes zoning, development standards, heritage and sensitive-land provisions. Randwick DCP 2025 Stage 2 commenced on 27 July 2026, superseding most previous 2013/Stage 1 DCP sections; certain 2013 provisions remain operative. Council's savings provisions for applications lodged before commencement contain exceptions for proposals relying on Housing SEPP affordable housing, co-living and LMR Housing provisions. Draft later stages should not be treated as in force.
State SEPPs, land application maps, statutory exclusions, savings provisions and site conditions can materially affect the approval pathway and design response.
Council-specific planning matters
Kensington, Kingsford, Randwick and coastal suburbs
Five NSW-nominated LMR locations reflect the Randwick/Kensington/Kingsford light rail and Maroubra Junction areas. The Health and Education Precinct requires distinct design, traffic and pedestrian considerations. Coastal suburbs near Coogee, Maroubra and Little Bay involve conservation, foreshore and environmental matters.
We recommend establishing key planning and infrastructure risks before an architect / building designer prepares detailed plans.
Early site assessment
Issues to investigate before design
Stage 2 DCP applicability
Application dates and important Housing SEPP savings exceptions.
Coastal hazards
Foreshore, erosion, stormwater and local character.
Heritage
Conservation areas and significant buildings.
Light-rail accessibility
Parking, pedestrian amenity and station-centre interfaces.
Recent operative local change: Randwick DCP Stage 2 commenced 27 July 2026 with revised medium-density and heritage provisions. See Council's current planning controls.
Our consultancy services
How Planning Approvals can assist in Randwick
Preliminary Planning Reports (PPRs)
Assess site potential, operative controls, key constraints and likely approval pathways before detailed design. Learn about planning advice and PPRs.
Housing and site feasibility
Check zoning, LMR Housing eligibility, separate precinct provisions and other material statutory design issues.
DA planning and SEE
Prepare Statements of Environmental Effects, review consultant reports and design plans, and assist with DA compilation and lodgement where engaged. Explore Development Applications.
CD Planning Assessments
Provide assessments of relevant Codes SEPP provisions to accompany CDC applications submitted to Building Certifiers. Explore CD Planning Assessments.
Planning Approvals prepares planning assessments but does not issue CDCs. A Building Certifier determines independently whether the statutory requirements are met and a CDC may be issued. Housing SEPP permissibility does not automatically create a CDC pathway. Find a Certifier through the NSW Government register.
In-house energy assessments
BASIX and Accredited NatHERS
Planning Approvals provides in-house BASIX services and thermal assessments by an Accredited NatHERS Assessor. These include BASIX certification, NatHERS ratings and design advice regarding glazing, insulation and building materials. Learn about BASIX and NatHERS.
Our process
Resolve the planning pathway early.
Site constraints are best identified before substantial design expenditure.
Identify site controls
Check zoning, LEP/DCP, State policies and property constraints.
Assess feasibility
Consider the development type, statutory requirements and design challenges.
Prepare documentation
Deliver agreed PPR, SEE or CD Planning Assessment with next-step recommendations.
Common questions
Planning questions in Randwick.
Which LEP and DCP apply to my site?
Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012 and Randwick DCP 2025 Stage 2 and retained DCP 2013 parts are the starting point, subject to relevant State planning instruments, site-specific land application mapping and any transitional controls.
Does proximity to a nominated centre guarantee LMR Housing eligibility?
No. The precise pedestrian walking-distance route, zoning, exclusions and statutory requirements must be verified on a property-specific basis.
What should I check before producing detailed design plans?
Application dates and important Housing SEPP savings exceptions. Foreshore, erosion, stormwater and local character. A Preliminary Planning Report can identify other material issues.
Can you prepare a Statement of Environmental Effects or DA planning assessment?
Yes. We provide planning consultancy, SEE preparation and assistance with consultant documentation, DA compilation and lodgement as agreed.
Can Planning Approvals issue a CDC?
No. We prepare CD Planning Assessments for applications to Building Certifiers, who make the statutory certification determination.
Official planning reference sources:
Randwick · Project enquiry
Planning a project in Randwick?
Provide the site address and a description of the proposal. We can discuss an appropriate initial planning assessment.