The major project assessments system

Policies and guidelines Application forms and fees Other development: Minister's consent

Delegations Sydney Harbour Foreshore Sites Further information

Fully operational in August 2005, the major project assessment system includes:

• Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) - which defines the way a project is to be assessed
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) 2005 - which defines what projects are subject to Part 3A.

This assessment system is specifically designed to deal with the complexity of major projects. It ensures key issues are identified early in the assessment process and engages the community by improving consultation and transparency.

The Department has prepared a series of fact sheets, which help explain the major project assessment system:

• Which development proposals are assessed under Part 3A of the Act
• Steps in the Part 3A assessment process
• What is State significant site
• Role of the Planning Assessment Commission in Part 3A projects
• Critical infrastructure and Part 3A of the Act.

Policies and guidelines

• Guideline for State significant sites under the Major Projects SEPP - outlines the processes followed when declaring a site to be State significant.
• Guidelines for Major Project Community Consultation (Department of Planning 2007) - outline the respective role of the Department and proponents in community consultation for projects being assessed. under Part 3A of the EP&A Act.
• Website Protocols for Proponents  - explains the Department's preferred approach for delivery of development proposal files for website publication.
• Assessment policies and guidelines for particular types of development can be found at our Register of Development Assessment Guidelines page.

Major project application forms and fees

• Major project application form and - this form is required to apply for the approval of the Minister to carry out a project to which Part 3A of the EP&A Act applies.
• Request to modify a major project and - this form is to request a modification to an approved project under Part 3A of the EP&A Act.
• Political donations disclosure statement - relating to applications to the Minister for Planning or the Director-General of the Department of Planning.
• Updated assessment fees for major projects and State significant sites (information sheet, January 2007). The EP&A Regulation outlines the fees for the Department's assessment of major projects and State significant sites.

Other development that may need the Minister's consent

While most proposals for the Minister's consideration are handled under Part 3A of the EP&A Act, the Minister continues to be the consent authority under Part 4 of the EP&A Act for certain types of development. This includes proposals covered by State Environmental Planning Policy (Kosciuszko National Park - Alpine Resorts) 2007. For more information on development within this area, see Alpine Resorts Assessments.

Download a Part 4 development application form

Delegations

The Minister for Planning and Director-General of the Department of Planning may at times delegate certain powers and functions:

• Instrument of Delegation (signed 18 November 2008, gazetted 5 December 2009) - delegating some powers and functions of the Minister to the Planning Assessment Commission.
• Instrument of Delegation (signed 4 March 2009, gazetted 27 March 2009) - delegating some powers and functions of  the Minister under Part 3A and Part 4 of the EP&A Act, EP&A Regulation, State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) 2005, Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 26 - City West and Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2005 to various senior officers in the Department of Planning.
• Instrument of Delegation (signed 27 September 2009, gazetted 2 October 2009) - delegating some powers and functions of the Minister in regard to the Kosciuszko Alpine Resorts to officers within the Department.
• Instrument of Delegation (signed 26 October 2009, gazetted 6 November 2009) - the Director-General's delegations of certain powers and functions relating to Part 3A of the EP&A Act and Part 1A (major projects) and clauses 73 and 231 (preparation of environmental impact statements) of the EP&A Regulation to officers within the Department.

Sydney Harbour foreshore sites

On 1 May 2009, the role of consent authority for development with a capital investment value under $5 million for a number of Sydney Harbour foreshore sites was transferred from the Minister for Planning to the City of Sydney. This handover, foreshadowed in the mini-budget, allows the City of Sydney to determine locally significant development and frees up departmental resources for more regionally significant development assessment.

The Minister was previously identified as the consent authority in Schedule 6 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) 2005, for all development under $5 million within the area of in the Sydney Harbour Foreshore sites of Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay (wharves 2/3), Darling Harbour, Banks Street (including the Sydney Fish Market) and the Casino Switching Station site. This role was transferred from the Minister for Planning to the City of Sydney, effective 1 May 2009.

The Minister continues to be the consent authority in these areas under Part 4 of the EP&A Act for development that:

• requires an approval under section 57 of the Heritage Act 1977 (unless that approval has already been obtained), or
• does not comply with the approved Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority Scheme for The Rocks, which is essentially the height and building envelopes prescribed for each site

For more information on this transfer:

• information sheet - Consent authority changes for Sydney Harbour Foreshore Sites 
• map - outlining the areas affected is also available.

Further information

• Major Development Monitor
• Major project register
• Notices of determination
• Contact us