Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan
The Australian Government’s $42 billion Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan is designed to ensure rapid delivery of economic stimulus measures to support employment and growth during depressed global economic conditions.
The NSW Government, including the Department of Planning, is working to ensure NSW benefits from the stimulus plan.
Click here for information about the NSW Local Infrastructure Fund released on 16 June 2009.
Planning legislative and regulatory changes in NSW
The Nation Building and Jobs Plan Act 2009 (NBJP Act) allows the exemption of infrastructure projects from existing planning legislation, where there is a demonstrated risk that a project will not meet deadlines imposed by the Australian Government for delivery. The chairperson of the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce exercises these powers.
The NBJP Act is designed to work alongside existing planning legislation.
If a proponent chooses to make an application to the Taskforce chairperson, seeking exemption from development control legislation, the proponent needs to demonstrate that every effort has been made to meet deadlines and timeframes for the assessment of projects using existing legislation. Any application made will also need to be accompanied by appropriate environmental assessment and consideration of impacts on the environment and adjacent land uses.
For enquiries email taskforceinfo@dpc.nsw.gov.au or call the Taskforce Hotline on 1800 752 100. To download the user guide and other documents visit www.nsw.gov.au/nationbuildingtaskforce.
Facilitating development activity
A series of other changes have been made within the NSW planning system to assist in the rapid delivery of funding:
Affordable housing
Multi-dwelling public or social housing can be considered near Sydney railway stations and the commercial centres of 32 major regional centres – with a site compatibility certificate 
issued by the Director-General. Furthermore, Housing NSW can also self-assess some low-rise public housing proposals provided they comply with design guidelines.
Planning Circular 09-007 – amendments to the Infrastructure SEPP (2 March 2009)
FAHCSIA website – Social housing initiatives in NSW
NSW Housing website – NSW and Australian Government social housing stimulus plan
Education
Existing provisions in the Infrastructure SEPP, which allow public schools to get 10-day approvals of gyms, school halls and libraries have been extended to all schools, including private schools, as long as they conform to set criteria.
Planning Circular PS 09-007 (2 March 2009)
Planning Circular PS 09-009 (18 March 2009) - further details on school provisions.
The Minister for Planning, on 9 September 2009, issued a section 94E direction under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 which prevents the imposition of development contributions on projects (or a component) carried out under the Australian Government's Building Education Revolution Program.
Planning Circular PS 09-025 (15 September 2009)
Insulation and solar
Home insulation and solar water heaters, which are eligible for funding under the Australian Government package, are now exempt from planning approval if certain requirements are met. The exempt development provisions for insulation are in the NSW Housing Code and the solar heater provisions in the Infrastructure SEPP.