In September 2024, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) reviewed its planning functions to ensure greater alignment with the NSW Government priorities including delivering housing and building great communities and achieving the government’s target of providing 377,000 new homes by 2029.

As part of this realignment, the department is considering what to do with all of the Place Strategies. They have advised Council that planning reforms, such as the low- and mid-rise housing policy, Transport Oriented Development Program and the Rezoning Pathways Program mean some locations nominated for place strategies are no longer required and the department will not be accepting additional nominations.

All active place strategies under the Place Delivery Program have been assessed and the department has advised stakeholders of next steps and pathways to advance commitments. The Department advised that the suitable pathway identified for this project moving forward is a local planning pathway, with Council continuing to work on finalising the technical studies which will inform future planning proposals (rezonings) and major development applications.

The main aim of the Hallidays Point Place Strategy was to identify long-term environmental outcomes and development opportunities for the area.

Over time, Hallidays Point has transitioned from largely agricultural land to residential use. Development pressure has led to clearing of vegetation, as well as impacts from vehicles and domestic animals. These have had an impact on the local koala population, as well as the squirrel glider. These species are appropriate umbrella species for biodiversity conservation and management.

The Hallidays Point area has recognised biodiversity values, and these will be considered in the context of the technical studies.

For the purposes of the formerly proposed Place Strategy, Hallidays Point is made up of the four villages of Black Head, Diamond Beach, Red Head and Tallwoods and the surrounding lands. The Lakes Way is the western boundary, and the area includes Khappinghat Nature Reserve in the north and significant bushland including Darawank Swamp to the south. The map here shows this area.

The Hallidays Point Place Strategy was going to build on the findings from recent and current investigations and community engagement, including the MidCoast Housing Strategy, Greening Strategy, Climate Change Policy, Urban Release Areas Report and Biodiversity Framework.