HAVE YOUR SAY ON A GROWING SHELLHARBOUR

Shellharbour’s draft 20 year land use plan is now on public exhibition.

Shellharbour City Council has endorsed the updated draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) to go on public exhibition from 21 July to 18 August 2025.

Caption: Resident reviewing the LSPS at Shellharbour City Library. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.

The LSPS is Council’s long-term plan for how Shellharbour will grow and change over the next 20 years. It helps shape decisions about where homes, jobs, parks, shops, roads and other important services should go.

Mayor Chris Homer said the plan is an important opportunity for the community to help shape the future of Shellharbour.

“Shellharbour is growing quickly. Right now, around 80,000 people call our city home. By 2041, we expect that to grow to more than 109,000,” Mayor Homer said.

“This plan helps make sure that growth is managed in a smart and sustainable way, so that we can protect what we love about Shellharbour while planning for the homes, transport, jobs and services we need.”

The updated LSPS is based on new population forecasts, housing needs, and the latest climate and planning data. It also reflects community feedback collected through surveys, pop-up sessions and local events during community engagement for the review of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents. This feedback helped Council understand what matters most to the community when it comes to growth, housing, the environment and local services.

The LSPS focuses on four key themes:

• Housing & Growth – planning for more homes in the right places
• Environment & Sustainability – protecting nature and preparing for climate change
• Community & Place – creating safe, welcoming spaces with good services
• Jobs & Productivity – supporting local jobs, tourism and businesses

This is the first major review of the LSPS since it was first adopted in 2020. Since 2020, Council has supported new homes in Calderwood and Shell Cove, helped pave the way for the new Shellharbour Hospital, and introduced key strategies for net zero emissions, open space and active transport.

To achieve the vision for Shellharbour, the city will need to make the most of key areas that support jobs, housing and vibrant communities. This will take strong collaboration across all levels of government, industry and the community, as well as good planning across transport, health, education and local services.

The draft LSPS includes actions that Council will lead and deliver before the next review. These actions focus on planning for housing, sustainability, infrastructure and local centres. They include reviewing the Housing Strategy and Development Control Plan, developing a Biodiversity Framework and Community Emissions Reduction Plan, and progressing planning work for areas like the Shellharbour City Centre, Shellharbour Hospital Precinct and Albion Park Rail.

The community is encouraged to read the draft plan and share feedback during the public exhibition period.

To learn more and make a submission, visit Let's Chat or join one of our upcoming community drop-in sessions:

• Shellharbour Civic Centre, Wednesday 30 July, 10am - 11:30am
• Shellharbour Civic Centre, Wednesday 30 July, 5:30pm - 7:30pm