Burwood adopts tougher apartment liveability rules

Burwood Council has adopted changes to its apartment planning rules after public exhibition and Design Review Panel input, with councillors voting to amend Parts 3 and 4 of the Burwood Development Control Plan at the council meeting on 17 February 2026 at 6pm in Burwood.

The changes cover apartment liveability across the local government area, including the Burwood Town Centre and other high-density parts of the council area. The minutes say the amendments respond to the shift towards apartment living in those areas, where apartments are increasingly the main form of housing.

Council resolved to publish public notice of the adoption and update the NSW Planning Portal within 28 days. It also asked for further reports on possible extra planning changes, including additional gross floor area exclusions and visitor parking requirements.

The adopted amendments are intended to lift amenity and building quality for current and future residents. The meeting papers say the controls are aimed at higher standards of liveability for apartment developments assessed under Parts 3 and 4 of the DCP.

The planning decision sat alongside a broader push by the council to brand itself as a city. On the same night, councillors resolved to register the trading name “Burwood City Council” and continue pursuing a formal proclamation by the Governor of New South Wales once Office of Local Government criteria are met, including a statistically valid LGA-wide survey sample.

For apartment builders, designers and planners, the DCP changes will affect how future projects are assessed in Burwood. The report says council wants residential amenity supported through high-quality design in both public and private areas.

The minutes also note the council’s wider focus on growth, identity and city status. But on planning, the immediate change is the adoption of tighter liveability rules for apartment projects in Burwood and the Burwood Town Centre.