New Place Plan for 2316: Replacing 2008 Anna Bay Town Plan
LAST EDITED
31 August 2026
Anna Bay continues to be guided by a strategy adopted in 2008 for a community half its current size and with a median age ten years younger. STCA has developed the evidence base for a new Place Plan covering Postcode 2316 and is encouraging Council to give the Plan statutory weight, supported by a draft Council motion.
STATUS
As at 12 August 2026, the 2008 Strategy remains operative. At its meeting on 16 March 2026, Council committed to a comprehensive review of the Anna Bay/Postcode 2316 Place Plan, commencing in September 2026. At the same meeting, STCA undertook to prepare a background report to support the review. The report examines recent demographic change and analyses relevant survey data, and is now ready to be provided to Council.
STCA is also preparing a draft Notice of Motion for a supportive Councillor to table, seeking to ensure the new Plan is given statutory effect.
DETAILS
The Anna Bay Strategy and Town Plan was adopted on 16 December 2008 and remains the operative plan, despite being nearly 20 years old. It was prepared for a community of about 3,600 residents, with a median age of 37. By the 2021 Census, Postcode 2316 had grown to 6,577 residents, with a median age of 52—an increase of ten years in a single decade, compared with one year across NSW.
STCA is advocating for a new Place Plan covering all of Postcode 2316—Anna Bay, Boat Harbour, Bobs Farm, Fishermans Bay, One Mile and Taylors Beach. These communities share drainage systems, roads and essential services, making an integrated planning approach vital.
The 2008 Strategy is not only outdated; it is also being relied upon to support rezoning proposals that have attracted community opposition.
WHY IT MATTERS
Decisions about rezonings, development applications, the sale of public land and the use of scarce village-centre sites continue to be assessed against a plan that is nearly 20 years old.
A new Place Plan will help guide the future development of Postcode 2316. Its preparation is an important opportunity for residents to shape the area’s long-term direction.
STCA POSITION
Replace the 2008 Strategy rather than amend it, and plan Postcode 2316 as one integrated area. Flooding, traffic and service catchments do not stop at suburb boundaries.
Ensure the Plan can be endorsed by the Department as a local strategy and implemented through the Local Strategic Planning Statement, LEP 2013 and DCP. A guidance document alone will not provide sufficient certainty.
Undertake meaningful consultation to identify the community’s aspirations. STCA is ready to work in partnership with Council to support this process.
STCA ACTION
STCA has:
Prepared the Background and Evidence Base through successive drafts between May and July 2026, and offered the completed work to Council.
Conducted original research by coding and reporting on all 345 open-ended responses to the Liveability Survey.
Began drafting a Notice of Motion to help secure statutory effect for the Plan.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Ask your Councillors to support a Postcode 2316 Place Plan with statutory weight.
Attend an STCA meeting, held monthly at the Anna Bay Scout Hall.
Share relevant local expertise in areas such as planning, hydrology, health, transport or Aboriginal heritage.
Join the STCA.
TIMELINE
31 Jul 2026 - Background and Evidence Base working draft completed.
8 Jul 2026 -19 Gan Gan Road rezoning review lodged with the Regional Planning Panel.
Apr 2026 - Gan Gan Road transport and safety report submitted to Council.
2020 and 2024 - Liveability Surveys conducted; Anna Bay’s score declined from 66 to 63 out of 100.
16 Dec 2008 - Anna Bay Strategy and Town Plan adopted; it remains operative.