The three Development Control Plans (DCPs) that currently apply across the MidCoast are:

  • Gloucester Development Control Plan 2010
  • Great Lakes Development Control Plan
  • Greater Taree Development Control Plan 2010

Why are we doing this?

The draft MidCoast Local Environmental Plan (LEP) was endorsed at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 26 February 2025 and has been submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation. It is anticipated that this process will be completed in the first half of 2026.

As the draft MidCoast Local Environmental Plan is nearing completion it will replace the three Local Environmental Plans (Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree) currently in place.

This process means that Council also needs to make minor changes to the three Development Control Plans that are in place.

What are the changes?

  • Updating references to the former council areas

    For example, the Greater Taree DCP 2010 will say: ‘This Development Control Plan applies to all land within the former Greater Taree Local Government Area.

  • An addition to include the MidCoast LEP

    Each DCP currently refers to its Local Environmental Plan, for example the Great Lakes DCP refers to the Great Lakes LEP 2014. These references will stay, but a note will be added to make clear that when the MidCoast LEP is officially in effect, its rules will apply first.


Outcome

At its meeting on 20 August 2025, Council supported proposed updates to the Development Control Plans for Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree.

The plans were publicly exhibited, and no objections were received before the exhibition closed on 29 September 2025.

As a result, the amendments were formally approved and took effect on 30 September 2025.