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In a landmark decision at its Ordinary Meeting in June, Hawkesbury City Council voted 11 to 1 in favour of endorsing detached dual occupancy across a range of rural and environmental zones — aligning the Hawkesbury with neighbouring local government areas where this form of housing has been permitted for over a decade.
The only dissenting vote came from Labor Councillor Amanda Kotlash, but the overwhelming majority signalled strong cross-party support for long-awaited planning reforms designed to give landowners more flexibility, accommodate intergenerational living, and respond to housing pressures without urban sprawl.
A history of delay
The decision follows more than a decade of advocacy, reports, and planning proposals. As far back as 2014, Council staff had raised the idea of expanding dual occupancy options. In 2017, further momentum grew when councillors resolved to review the matter following the release of the Hawkesbury–Nepean Flood Strategy. Yet progress stalled repeatedly amid concerns around emergency access, flood evacuation, and inconsistent state planning priorities.
Meanwhile, surrounding councils like Penrith, Hills, and Lithgow permitted detached dual occupancies — often with fewer restrictions — and Hawkesbury lagged behind, despite its extensive rural land base and history of multi-generational farming families.
Here's what changed
Council’s June 2025 resolution reflects updates to the Hawkesbury Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 and is backed by provisions in the Development Control Plan (DCP) that ensure rural character is preserved. The endorsed policy allows detached dwellings (not just attached dual occupancies) in zones including RU1, RU2, RU4, RU5, and E3 and E4 environmental living areas.
Design guidelines will require visual consistency, shared access, and rural-appropriate building footprints — addressing concerns raised by some councillors in previous debates.
What the change means
President of the Bells Line of Road Business Council, Marg Tadrosse, owner of the Bilpin Fruit Bowl and a longstanding advocate for planning reform, said the move "finally brings common sense and fairness to Hawkesbury’s planning framework."
"Many of our farming families want to build a second home for ageing parents or adult children — without the bureaucracy and inconsistency that has penalised them for years. This decision is about keeping families together, supporting rural resilience, and making smarter use of existing land.
As the region grapples with population growth, rising living costs, and disaster recovery challenges, the introduction of detached dual occupancy could ease pressure while maintaining the unique landscape and lifestyle of the Hawkesbury.
Council’s resolution will now proceed to Gateway Determination and community consultation as part of the formal LEP amendment process.
