The major project assessments system
 PoliciesApplication formsFeesDA examples |
Other development : Minister's consentSydney Harbour Foreshore SitesFurther information |
Fully operational in August 2005, the major projects assessment system includes:
- Part 3A of the EP&A Act - which defines the way a project should be assessed.
- State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005 - which defines what projects are subject to Part 3A and require ministerial approval.
The Department has prepared a series of fact sheets to further explain the system:
- Fact sheet 1: Why the major projects assessment system was introduced? [PDF]
- Fact sheet 2: What is considered a major project? [PDF]
- Fact sheet 3: Steps in the major project assessment process [PDF]
- Fact sheet 4: State significant sites [PDF]
- Fact sheet 5: Role of the Planning Assessment Commission in Part 3A projects [PDF]
- Fact sheet 6: Merit appeal rights [PDF]
- Fact sheet 7: Critical infrastructure [PDF]
- Fact sheet 8: Debunking the myths [PDF]
Policies and guidelines
Criteria for declaring development to be a major project [PDF] for a residential, retail or commercial project with capital investment value of more than $50 million.
The Guideline for State significant sites under the Major Projects SEPP [PDF] outlines the processes followed when declaring a site to be State significant.
The 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 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act [PDF].
The Website Protocols for Proponents explains the Department's preferred approach for delivery of development proposal files for website publication.
Assessment policies and guidelines can be found at our Register of Development Assessment Guidelines page.
Major project application forms
- Major project application form [PDF version] and [RTF version] - this form is required to apply for the approval of the Minister to carry out a project to which Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 applies
- Request to modify a major project [PDF version] and [RTF version] - this form is to request a modification to an approved project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
- Political donations disclosure statement [PDF] - relating to applications to the Minister or Director-General
Fees
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation outlines fees for the Department's Major project assessments and State significant sites. Updated assessment fees for major projects and State significant sites [PDF] - information sheet (January 2007)
Development assessment examples
Kings Forest site
Carlton and United Breweries site
Port Botany expansion
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
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Sites
On 1 May, 2009 the 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, which was foreshadowed in the mini-budget, will allow 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 Projects) 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 has been 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, see the information sheet Consent authority changes for Sydney Harbour Foreshore Sites. A map outlining the areas affected is also available.
Further information