Development Control Plan

The Port Stephens Development Control Plan 2025 (DCP)

Port Stephens has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Development Control Plan (DCP) which was adopted by Council on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

The DCP provides further guidance to the Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan 2013 (LEP). It was adopted by Council on Tuesday 14 July 2015 and became effective on Thursday 6 August 2015.

Development Application Supporting Handbook (DASH)

A development application (DA) assessed under the Port Stephens DCP must be accompanied by the relevant supporting documentation prescribed in Council’s Development Application Supporting Handbook (DASH).

The DASH provides straightforward guidance to support you through the DA process with Port Stephens Council and includes practical tools such as document templates and links to useful resources.

More information on development applications may also be found on Council’s website

Download DASH

There are a number of locations for which a Water Sensitive Urban Design Strategy has been prepared and endorsed by Council.

Specific requirements for managing stormwater may apply in these areas.

Refer to Chapter B3 Stormwater Management in the DCP to identify requirements for development in areas with a regional stormwater treatment system.