The new Act marks a turning point for planning in New South Wales, as it will help us deliver the Government’s vision for sustainable growth. It will help us work more closely with our communities to create better places with improved public amenities, and support our economy to grow. It will also ensure the right infrastructure is put in place to support our growing population.

The new Act will also build community confidence in our planning system through upfront community participation, improved strategic planning, probity in decision making and faster, simpler planning processes.

Community participation

The new Act prioritises community participation in the planning system by specifying all planning authorities prepare a community participation plan.

Strategic planning

The Act provides legislative weight to councils’ strategic plans; completing the connection from regional and district plans to strategic planning at the local level. It will also ensure that NSW meets the demands of growth while protecting the attributes that make it such an attractive destination.

Probity in decision making

The Government is committed to minimising corruption in the planning system and ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the people of NSW. The new Act addresses this by introducing mandatory Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels, bringing technical expertise and merit based decision making to the planning system.

Faster, simpler planning

The new Act cuts through red tape with a simple, streamlined structure and numbering system, bringing clear and concise logic to the Act. Streamlined approvals and conditioning processes alongside robust compliance and enforcement arrangements, will also ensure a planning system that delivers strong and thriving communities.

The changes to the Act are wide reaching, so I encourage you all to read a new guide to the updated Act which explains how the planning system is evolving to meet our future challenges.

I’d like to finish by thanking everyone involved in the development and commencement of the Act. I look forward to us all working together to create thriving communities.

Resources

• Find out more from the NSW Planning & Environment Department.
• Contact the NSW Planning & Environment Department.
• View the Environmental Planning and Assessment savings and transitional provisions.