The area of Pittwater is unique, in the urban context, for the degree of retention of natural features, continuing coastal ecological cycles, and relatively low visual impact of existing development.

It contains a diversity of natural features not found in many areas of Australia. These include ocean beaches and headlands, inland waterways, coastal lagoons and estuaries, wetlands, creeks, escarpments, beaches, bushland, National Parks and ridgelines. There is, therefore, a need to retain and enhance the local environment by appropriate development controls for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

The purpose of this Statement of Values is to draw the attention of developers and residents to the issues that are required to be addressed in respect of all Development, Building and Subdivision Applications to Council. These issues aim to ensure that the unique environmental qualities of Pittwater are conserved and, where possible, enhanced. 

This statement reflects the diverse, relatively pristine natural environment and the aspirations and expectations of the Council, residents and users of Pittwater.

Natural Environmental Values

• To ensure the maintenance and diversity of our native plants, animals and their habitats.
• To maintain, protect and enhance the existing range of natural landforms, waterways, ecological processes and natural resources of the area for use by existing and future generations.
• To develop strategies for urban development which do not significantly impact upon the existing environment.
• To promote an understanding of the various elements of the coastal environment and the impact of man and development on this environment.   

Built Environmental Values

• To ensure that the bulk, scale, form and external finishes of development are compatible with surrounding development and the colours and textures existing in the local area.
• Encourage compatible extensions to buildings in respect of their design, bulk and scale so as to harmonise with the existing neighbourhood.
• Encourage the separation of buildings to provide opportunities for screen planting and landscaping between the buildings.
• To ensure that any building, where the site adjoins a natural ridgeline or foreshore, is not visually dominant and the design retains natural site features.
• To encourage the minimisation of site disturbance and use of soil conservation practices to conserve existing site features and vegetation.
• To encourage design which blends with the natural surrounding environment rather than dominating it.
• To retain existing natural vegetation, where reasonably possible, and thereby reduce the impact of stormwater and nutrients that encourage dieback, weed infestation, run-off and siltation.
• To retain existing natural vegetation and when re-landscaping a site, promote the use of native trees and shrubs which occur in that locality.
• To limit hard paved areas thereby providing the maximum landscaping area possible and to encourage on-site rainwater detention and soil conservation.
• To encourage large subdivision lots in "visually sensitive areas" so as to retain the dominant vegetated landscape of the area.
• To encourage subdivisions that are sympathetic with the environment through conserving the existing natural features of the site particularly cliffs, rock formations, tree canopies, natural bushland and archeological features.
• To encourage architectural initiatives in design, through modulation, building indents, varied window design, setbacks, landscaping and external finishes.
• To encourage residential/commercial/industrial design which takes into consideration the total streetscape and the relationship with the character of the area.
• To minimise air, water and noise pollution.
• To encourage development, when viewed from the street, to achieve an overall sense of unity without limiting initiative in design or exterior finishes.
• To encourage the preservation of the "village" character of commercial centres by retaining the "human scale" and "local focus" of these centres.

Community Participation

• Council encourages applicants to confer with staff at design/concept stage.
• Council encourages applicants to consult with their neighbours during the course of preparing plans and to seek their views on the proposed development prior to submitting the application to Council.
• Council encourages open communications and community involvement in the decision making process.
• Council encourages public participation by way of notifying development, building and subdivision applications.
• Council encourages participation in decision making on development, building and subdivision applications by permitting the applicant and key objectors to address Council meetings.
• Council encourages participation and review by community groups/residents organisations in environmental and planning matters.