NSW Department of Planning, on 2 September 2026, confirmed that the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council has withdrawn their Patyegarang (formerly Lizard Rock) planning proposal to rezone bush land on Morgan Road in Belrose for 450 homes.
The planning proposal was actively facilitated to progress by the previous Liberal Government, despite opposition from Rural Fire Service, Northern Beaches Council and the wider community.
The planning proposal had been in limbo since December 2024 when the Sydney North Planning Panel directed the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council to work with the Rural Fire Service to reach a proposal which they considered had acceptable bushfire risk.
Wakehurst MP Michael Regan welcomed the announcement.
“For everyone who cares about the future of the Lizard Rock site, this is a significant day,” Mr Regan said.
“In my experience, there have been very few issues that have galvanised the level of community opposition than this proposal to put 450 homes at Lizard Rock,” he said.
“This rezoning proposal was reckless in the extreme. It would have created a bushfire trap for future residents, left them potentially unable to insure their homes and put firefighters at dire risk.
Northern Beaches Council welcomed the withdrawal of the Patyegarang planning proposal. Council consistently opposed the proposal because of the significant planning, environmental and hazard issues it presented.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the withdrawal was a welcome outcome for the community and the local environment.
“Council has always supported the intent of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and the importance of enabling Aboriginal people to achieve economic self-determination,” Mayor Heins said.
“However, this particular proposal presented serious risks and impacts, including the loss of around 45 football fields of bushland and the construction of hundreds of homes in a high bushfire risk area.
“Thanks to everyone in the community who cared enough to share their concerns and helped achieve this important outcome. Also, thanks to the Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan for his considerable advocacy.
“This is a sensible outcome and an important step towards protecting lives, protecting our environment and respecting the community’s strong concerns,” Mayor Heins said.
“It would have destroyed over 45 rugby fields of local bushland with important biodiversity values,” said Mr Regan.
“I would have preferred to see a decision from the planning panel refusing the rezoning proposal on its merits. But what this withdrawal tells us is that the Land Council couldn’t get the RFS to agree to a proposal at the scale they wanted.”
Mr Regan said he was ‘proud and grateful’ to everyone who actively opposed the Patyegarang proposal.
“To everyone who took the time to make a submission when the proposal was on public exhibition – thank you. All of these efforts have created the context for the outcome we see today,” Mr Regan said. “Sense has prevailed, for now.”
Mayor Heins said Council remained committed to working constructively with all levels of government and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council to find a better outcome for the land, the community and future generations.
“We continue to believe there is a better way forward that recognises the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal landowners while protecting this high-value bushland from inappropriate development,” Mayor Heins said.
Others took to social media to comment on the withdrawal of the proposal.
Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps said it was ‘good news.’ “Advice from the Rural Fire Service must remain central to development decisions,” Dr Scamps said.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said the news was ‘a major win for our community.’
The Northern Beaches Bushland Guardians Campaign at Northern Beaches Envirolink said in a media release that it was ‘amazing news.’
“We will plan a celebration, as we would like to share this win for all of you,” the group said. “So many in the community have worked so hard on this campaign, collecting thousands of petitions, fundraising thousands of dollars, and putting in hundreds of volunteer hours. We also recognise the work of our local MPs and elected representatives.”
