A new decision from the Court of Appeal has re-affirmed some key legal points about development control plans (DCPs). DCPs are among the most frequently relied upon — and most frequently misunderstood — instruments in development application assessment. Local council officers often treat DCP standards as though they carry the same binding force as an environmental planning instrument. They do not.

The Land and Environment Court has handed down a new decision that clarifies the operation of the strata renewal development process.  The decision is good news for the developers of strata-titled properties.