The Department of Planning regularly monitors the performance of the NSW planning system to ensure it is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible for the public, for small and large-scale developers and for industry professionals such as council planners.
This monitoring, which includes analysis of local, State and industry performance, is reported in a number of different publications:
Monthly Planning Update
To ensure the community and the industry are kept up to date with accurate information on the assessment of major projects in New South Wales, Planning Minister Kristina Keneally issues monthly figures on major project approvals by the Minister, the Department of Planning and the Planning Assessment Commission.
These figures give a detailed breakdown of how many projects have been approved in the previous month, along with the capital investment value and job creation figures associated with the projects.
Monthly Planning Update – September 2009 
Monthly Planning Update – August 2009
Monthly Planning Update – July 2009
Monthly Planning Update – June 2009
Monthly Planning Update – May 2009
Monthly Planning Update – April 2009
Major Development Monitor
This annual publication provides detailed statistical and case study information about decisions made by the Department and Minister for Planning on development proposals and local environmental plans.
Latest report
Major Development Monitor 2007-08
Previous reports
Major Development Monitor 2006-07
Major Development Monitor 2005-06
Local Performance Monitoring
The NSW Local Development Performance Monitoring report provides comprehensive statistics about development in NSW, including annual information on the volume, value and type of development and council processing times. It has been compiled by the NSW Department of Planning based on the Department’s analysis of data supplied by local councils.
This report also covers issues such as use of complying development, planning staff numbers and legal appeal success rates.
Latest report
Local Development Performance Monitoring Report 2007-08
Local Development Performance Summary Data 2007-08 
Minister’s media release
Previous reports
Local Development Performance Monitoring Report 2006-07
Local Development Performance Monitoring Report 2005-06