Amendments to the Hornsby Development Control Plan 2013 for seniors housing in heritage conservation areas were approved by Council on 13 December 2023 and implemented on 21 December 2023. The Hornsby DCP can be viewed here.

Council is seeking feedback on draft amendments to the Hornsby Development Control Plan 2013 (Hornsby DCP) intended to guide the development of future seniors housing developments in our Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA).

The State Government's State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 (Housing SEPP) facilitates the development of a range of affordable and diverse housing, including seniors housing, across Hornsby Shire. Seniors housing includes residential care facilities (such as nursing homes), independent living units and hostels for seniors or people with a disability.

In 2019, the State Government implemented a moratorium on seniors housing in HCAs. The moratorium will expire on 31 December 2023. On numerous occasions, Council has sought for an extension to the moratorium or a permanent exemption from applying the Housing SEPP to our HCAs. Council sought further exemptions as it is considered that the built form for seniors housing permitted by the Housing SEPP does not conform with the low-density residential character of the majority of our HCAs. The State Government has indicated that an exemption is unlikely to be supported.

In anticipation of the end to the moratorium, Council is exhibiting draft amendments to the Hornsby DCP. The amendments would require that the built forms permitted through the Housing SEPP should avoid impacting the heritage significance and character of our HCAs.

You can read or download a copy of the draft DCP amendments below.