Reclassification of public land – the process

Published on 21 May 2026

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A resolution from Council’s April meeting included an action to commence the process to reclassify Victoria Square and Cranston Park from Community Land to Operational Land.

To reclassify Community Land to Operational Land involves an amendment to the Local Environmental Plan (LEP), which is a lengthy process that usually takes around 18-24 months and involves the following steps:

  • Council endorsement to prepare a Planning Proposal
  • Approval by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to proceed
  • Public exhibition
  • Public hearing
  • Subsequent Council endorsement.

For more details on each of these steps, download the Reclassification of Public Land document below.

Reclassification of Public Land

The resolution from the Council meeting on 21 April was:

1. Commence work to prepare a review of the Singleton Local Environmental Plan (SLEP) focusing on:

a) Investigating opportunities for the rezoning of land around the bypass to support appropriate development outcomes;

b) Exploring options to optimise the use of land adjacent to the hospital for community, health, and/or compatible residential purposes; and

c) Incorporating provisions for tiny homes and manufactured homes to unlock increased opportunities for affordable housing and greater housing diversity.

2. Commence the process to reclassify Victoria Square and Cranston Park from Community Land to Operational Land to support affordable housing outcomes, while maintaining community benefit.

3. Investigate opportunities for Albion Park to support affordable housing outcomes.

4. Within three (3) months, bring a report back to Council detailing the timeframe, community consultation and other actions required to achieve items 1, 2 and 3.

The Mayoral Minute is available on page 7 of Council’s April agenda.

The resolution from the meeting is available in the Minutes from the April meeting on page 4.

Point 2 of the resolution relates to the reclassification of public land.

View the Agenda + Minutes

Reclassification of public land  FAQs

What happened at the Council Meeting?

At its meeting on 21 April 2026, Council resolved, among other things, to commence the reclassification of Victoria Square and Cranston Park to support affordable housing outcomes while maintaining community benefit. As part of the resolution, Council staff have been requested to undertake an initial assessment and report back on the process, indicative timeframes, consultation requirements and other actions required to progress the matter.

What is reclassification of public land?

 The reclassification of public land involves changing land from Community Land to Operational Land through an amendment to the Local Environmental Plan (LEP). Community Land is generally intended for public use and cannot be sold, while Operational Land provides Council with greater flexibility in how land is managed, developed or disposed of.

When does the process start?

The reclassification process has not commenced. To commence the process, a resolution of Council for the preparation of a Planning Proposal is required. Once commenced, the process takes approximately 18–24 months to complete. It involves:

  • preparation of a Planning Proposal
  • assessment by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
  • public exhibition
  • mandatory public hearing chaired by an independent person.

Multiple opportunities for community input are provided throughout the process.

How and when can the community make a submission?

The next formal opportunity for submissions and feedback will occur when staff report back to a future Council Meeting on the indicative timeframes, consultation requirements and other actions required to progress the matter.

Members of the community will be able to provide feedback and/or attend the meeting and speak to the item in accordance with Council’s Public Access provisions.

Should Council subsequently resolve to proceed with the preparation of a Planning Proposal, further formal opportunities for community consultation and submissions will occur as part of the statutory planning process, including public exhibition and a mandatory public hearing chaired by an independent person.

What happens with the submission that I have already made?

While the reclassification process has not formally commenced, submissions that have been received will be retained on Council’s records and considered as part of any future reporting and consultation processes relating to the matter.

All those who have made a submission will receive a response from Council in the coming days. Submissions that have been received will be included in the report that staff are required to prepare for a Council meeting within three months.

Council will provide notice of the future report to Council via its website and social media channels.  

What is the next step?

In accordance with the Council resolution from April, staff will provide a report to a Council meeting within three months detailing the process, indicative timeframes, consultation requirements and other actions required to progress the matter. 

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