Case Study: Watsons Bay DCP
Watsons Bay is a place of great natural and scenic beauty. It is a rare combination of a dramatic and varied coastal landscape and a harbourside village that evolved from being the first landing point in Sydney Harbour in 1788. Watsons Bay was the third permanent settlement in New South Wales from 1790 and a pilot station was established there in 1792. It still conveys a strong sense of its maritime heritage in its built and landscape features that evidence four key historic themes: growth of a village, navigation, defence of Sydney at the Heads, and recreation and tourism.
Inappropriate development can erode the unique character of such an area and adversely impact upon heritage items and those items that make a positive contribution to the area. A Development Control Plan (DCP) is a planning document that helps guide and direct future development. Godden Mackay Logan’s extensive experience in heritage planning has resulted in a DCP for Watsons Bay that should ensure that its exceptional qualities are conserved and enhanced.
The Watsons Bay DCP supports compatible new development within the area. By recognising the elements that contribute to the heritage significance and character of Watsons Bay it seeks to guide how these can be developed and managed in a positive way to enhance the values of the area and ensure sympathetic alterations and new development.
The DCP developed general controls for the private domain that apply to the landscape and townscape of Watsons Bay, its heritage and contributory items and other existing buildings and proposed infill development. Secondly, it developed controls that relate to built form, infill development, streetscape presentation and the interface with adjoining precincts, recognising the unique character of each precinct as well as the heritage and contributory items that reinforce them. Public Domain principles provide guidance to Council and government agencies that undertake development in the public domain and are to be supplemented by and implemented through more detailed action plans or management plans.
Godden Mackay Logan’s experience at consulting with a variety of public interest groups ensured that the best outcomes were achieved from working with a Community Reference Group (CRG) whose membership was drawn from community representatives, government agencies, Council staff and local councillors. The consultation included a ‘walk-around’ survey of Watsons Bay that helped to identify the key issues that may test current and future planning controls.
By integrating planning, design and decision-making associated with development, the DCP enables appropriate and expert consideration to be given by applicants and the Council to development.
Location: Watsons Bay, NSW
Client: Woollahra Municipal Council
Project Type: Development Control Plan