Kempsey Development Control Plan

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Update June 2026

We are pleased to announce that at the June 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting the Kempsey Development Control Plan (2026) was adopted.

Kempsey Shire Council have given public notice on our website of enacting the new Development Control Plan (2026) on Wednesday 1 July 2026. At that date the current Development Control Plan (2013) will be repealed. From Wednesday 1 July 2026 onward all development applications will be assessed against the new DCP (2026).

Adapting with this change

We understand such a big change will take time to become a familiar to everyone. During this transition please note the following:

  • Development applications received before December 2025 are assessed using the Kempsey DCP (2013) alone,
  • Development applications received after December 2025 but before July 2026 will be assessed using the DCP (2013) but KSC Planners will consider the relevant provisions of the draft DCP (2026), and
  • Development application received after 1 July 2026 will be assessed using the new DCP (2026) alone.

Through this change Council will also monitor the use and performance of the new Development Control Plan. We’ll undertake a post-implementation review of the new DCP (2026) within 12 months of adoption.

Continuing local collaboration

We wish to take this opportunity to thank parties who have participated in this long process. Council have appreciated the interest, time and effort of all those who have contributed to this work.

We trust that the new DCP will contribute to positive development for our Shire and our community.

Previous Exhibition

Council placed the draft document on full public exhibition from Thursday 18 December 2025 to Tuesday 10 February 2026. This exhibition period extended beyond the mandatory 28 days to allow sufficient time for community review, as the “blackout period” from 15 December to 14 January (inclusive) is excluded when calculating public exhibition time.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Kempsey Development Control Plan. The previous exhibition closed, Tuesday 10 February 2026.

Update June 2026

We are pleased to announce that at the June 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting the Kempsey Development Control Plan (2026) was adopted.

Kempsey Shire Council have given public notice on our website of enacting the new Development Control Plan (2026) on Wednesday 1 July 2026. At that date the current Development Control Plan (2013) will be repealed. From Wednesday 1 July 2026 onward all development applications will be assessed against the new DCP (2026).

Adapting with this change

We understand such a big change will take time to become a familiar to everyone. During this transition please note the following:

  • Development applications received before December 2025 are assessed using the Kempsey DCP (2013) alone,
  • Development applications received after December 2025 but before July 2026 will be assessed using the DCP (2013) but KSC Planners will consider the relevant provisions of the draft DCP (2026), and
  • Development application received after 1 July 2026 will be assessed using the new DCP (2026) alone.

Through this change Council will also monitor the use and performance of the new Development Control Plan. We’ll undertake a post-implementation review of the new DCP (2026) within 12 months of adoption.

Continuing local collaboration

We wish to take this opportunity to thank parties who have participated in this long process. Council have appreciated the interest, time and effort of all those who have contributed to this work.

We trust that the new DCP will contribute to positive development for our Shire and our community.

Previous Exhibition

Council placed the draft document on full public exhibition from Thursday 18 December 2025 to Tuesday 10 February 2026. This exhibition period extended beyond the mandatory 28 days to allow sufficient time for community review, as the “blackout period” from 15 December to 14 January (inclusive) is excluded when calculating public exhibition time.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Kempsey Development Control Plan. The previous exhibition closed, Tuesday 10 February 2026.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    COMPLETE: Formal submission: Kempsey Development Control Plan Exhibition

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    COMPLETE: Development Control Plan Initial Survey

    16 responses
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    COMPLETE: Expression of interest to attend Information Session

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    COMPLETE: Schedule of prescribed trees

    We are considering significant trees in the Kempsey Shire and we need your help!

     As part of our review of the current Kempsey Development Control Plan (DCP), Kempsey Shire Council is also reviewing its existing guidelines on trees and vegetation, including a schedule of prescribed trees.

     There is an opportunity for the community to let us know about a tree, or trees, that you believe are of value. You can also tell us why they are considered valuable. The trees will then be assessed and considered for inclusion as we update provisions and guidelines.

     It’s important to know that the schedule is just one part of the environmental guidelines within the DCP. Including a tree on the list means it would be identified as having community significance and worthy of preservation. However, it is also a ‘live’ list, which means trees still need to be safe and healthy, and can be added or removed as necessary and with good reason.

     If there is a tree in your life which you feel is significant, located on public land, complete our short questionnaire and we’ll assess your suggestion to see if it fits the proposed significant tree criteria.

     Some things to consider about the tree/s might be:

    1. Amenity value –physical characteristics such as its height and public values like its importance to the surroundings.

    2. Community value–historical associations or community significance.

    3. Botanic values –scientific interest like local rarity, or ecological importance.

    Survey will be open until 29 November. Respondents who give contact details will be acknowledged with a confirmation that their information has been received and their application will be considered within the overall review.

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Page last updated: 19 Jun 2026, 07:40 PM