Strategic planning for natural hazards in NSW
The NSW Government supports sustainable and hazard-resilient communities through smart land use planning.
We are giving communities and councils the tools to prepare for, manage and recover from extreme events – potentially saving lives and property.
Natural hazards can have a devastating impact on communities and the environment. They can include a bushfire, coastal hazard, cyclone, drought, earthquake, flood, heatwave, landslide, severe thunderstorm, tornado and tsunami.
The natural hazards package includes:
- a strategic guide (PDF, 3.3 MB) to planning for natural hazards in NSW
- a resource kit (PDF, 217 KB) to support the strategic planning process and help plan-making authorities find the information and data they need
Watch our video to find out more about the package’s purpose and guiding principles:
Strategic guide
The guide helps create regional, district and local strategic plans, planning proposals and other strategic planning activities. It:
- identifies the natural hazards relevant to NSW that should be considered in strategic planning activities
- considers the connection to existing policies, acts, regulations, guidelines and responsibilities
- explains key concepts related to natural hazard risk management
- sets out eight guiding principles to inform land use planning decisions and manage natural hazard risk.
The guide is supported by a resource kit (PDF, 217 KB) to help plan-making authorities find relevant natural hazard data, risk management information, other guidance, case studies, standards and tools.
Supporting documents
- Strategic guide (PDF, 3.3 MB)
- Handbook (PDF, 328 KB)
- Frequently asked questions (PDF, 64 KB)
- Resource kit (PDF, 217 KB).
The natural hazards package was exhibited between 27 April 2021 and 8 June 2021.
It was finalised on 6 December 2021.
More information
Please email the project team at coastal@planning.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions about this project.
Page last updated: 17/01/2023