Affordable Housing Policy, Planning Proposal and Contributions Scheme

Council prepared updates to the City of Canada Bay Affordable Housing Policy, a Planning Proposal and the Canada Bay Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme. These updated documents seek to simplify contribution calculations, update definitions, and accommodate the needs of vulnerable communities.

Updated Affordable Housing Policy

The update to the Affordable Housing Policy amends the policy principles to reflect Council’s role and approach to affordable housing, including adaptable housing for people with a disability and housing for families and individuals escaping domestic violence.

The Planning Proposal

This planning proposal (the Proposal) seeks to amend the Canada Bay Local Environmental Plan (CBLEP) 2013 to provide for an updated Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme.

Council has been authorised as the local plan-making authority.

Updated Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme

The update to the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme simplifies the method by which affordable housing contributions are calculated.

In summary changes include:

  • Inclusion or amendment of definitions for affordable housing, affordable rental housing, equivalent monetary contribution, key workers, net saleable area, contribution rate and social housing
  • Amendments to the objectives of the plan to reflect Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and updated Affordable Housing Policy
  • Summary of applicable affordable housing contribution percentage within each identified area subject to the Scheme
  • An updated Affordable Housing Policy section to reflect corresponding changes to Council’s Affordable Housing Policy
  • Reinforcement of Council’s preference for the dedication of completed affordable housing dwellings
  • Application of a dollar rate per square metre based on the average median strata dwelling price across the LGA
  • Revised and new examples of calculations for dwelling dedication and financial contributions
  • An explanation of how the equivalent monetary contribution rate is calculated
  • Deletion of requirements for the ongoing management of affordable housing for properties that are moving to Council’s updated Affordable Housing Management Guidelines, which are outlined in the Affordable Housing Policy
  • Clarification that the collection of monetary funds under Chapter 2 part 3 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) are transferred to the Department of Communities and Justice.

How we collected your feedback

The Affordable Housing Policy, Planning Proposal and Contributions Scheme were on public exhibition from 11 November - 19 December 2025.

Feedback could be submitted via the following methods.

  • Mail to:

Attn: General Manager,
City of Canada Bay
Locked Bag 1470
DRUMMOYNE NSW 1470

All feedback will be considered before it is presented to Council for consideration. It is important to note that your submission may be published in reports, or other documents that are produced following the exhibition period and will be made publicly available upon request.