Planning Reform
Improving the NSW planning system - latest news
18 June 2008 - Landmark planning reforms pass Upper House
The NSW Legislative Council has approved landmark reforms which will deliver a more efficient and transparent planning system for NSW.
The Department has also published a frequently asked questions document on implementation of the reforms.
28 May to 23 June 2008 - NSW Codes workshops
As part of the exhibition of the draft NSW Housing Code and draft NSW Commercial Building Code, the Department ran a series of professional and community workshops across NSW. The workshops explained the design principles behind the codes and allowed the general public to ask questions about the pre-set standards. The workshops were free, but pre-registration was required.
15 May 2008 - Planning Reform Bills tabled in NSW Parliament
On 15 May 2008 three Planning Reform Bills were tabled in the NSW Parliament. The Bills are the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2008, Building Professionals Amendment Bill 2008 and Strata Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The tabling of the Bills follows a lengthy consultation process, including the release of draft exposure Bills.
- Planning Reform Bill Guide
- Media release
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2008
- Building Professionals Amendment Bill 2008
- Strata Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
The Minister has also tabled statements outlining the Government's policy intentions in regard to certification, complying development, concurrences and referrals, joint regional planning panels and planning arbitrators.
8 May 2008 - Draft codes released
On 8 May 2008 the NSW Government released two codes for public comment.
- NSW Housing Code - Community Guide
- NSW Housing Code, which outlines a simplification to the State's development approval system for housing and related residential developments.
- NSW Commercial Building Code, which outlines a simplification to the State's development approval system for some forms of commercial and industrial development and related ancillary developments.
3 April 2008 - Draft exposure Bills
On 3 April 2008 the NSW Government released two draft exposure Bills outlining wide-ranging improvements to the State's planning system.
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2008 and Explanatory Note
- Building Professionals Amendment Bill 2008 and Explanatory Note
- Community guide
The release of these Bills follows a comprehensive NSW government planning reform consultation process, including exhibition of a detailed discussion paper Improving the NSW planning system in November 2007.
More information
The background to these proposed reforms is available in the following documents:
- Improving the NSW Planning System - a discussion paper (including errata, November 2007)
- Improving the NSW Planning System - submissions report (March 2008)
A history of the progress of planning reform is available at: