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The Strategic Planning Toolkit is a hub for resources to support local councils and planning professionals in LEP making.
The aim of the toolkit is to provide guidance on LEP making and to assist in the implementation of the goals and directions contained within the Regional Plans and the five District Plans.
The Strategic Planning Toolkit will provide an up-to-date resource for local councils and planning professionals to employ best practice planning across NSW.
Regional plans are State-led strategic planning documents which set the direction and establish objectives for delivering the vision for a liveable productive, and sustainable planning framework in NSW.
Five district plans implement the vision and objectives of the Greater Sydney Region Plan at a district level.
These 20-year plans provide a bridge between regional and local planning to inform LEPs, local strategic planning statements (LSPS), community strategic plans and the assessment of planning proposals.
Precincts provide a placed based strategic planning approach to growth in Sydney and set specific actions and objectives for specific areas, based on the vison outlined in the region or district plan.
These precincts provide a coordinated approach by State and local government which helps ensure infrastructure such as schools, parks, community facilities, public transport and road upgrades are delivered commensurate with housing and jobs to support community needs.
planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/A-new-approach-to-precincts
There are a number of other strategic planning documents including the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036 and special activation precincts in regional NSW. These documents set out strategies and actions for a particular LGA or precinct to create jobs, attract businesses and investors, support local industries and fuel economic development.
planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Greater-Newcastle-metropolitan-planning
nsw.gov.au/snowy-hydro-legacy-fund/special-activation-precincts
An LSPS sets out the strategic planning ambitions for a LGA as a whole and for specific areas. The LSPS allows councils to translate their strategic planning into local priorities and actions and identifies the need for further local strategic planning work.
The LSPS Guideline for Councils provides information for councils, the community, and other stakeholders on the contents of a LSPS, how it is made and how it is implemented.
Local housing strategies are detailed strategic and implementation plans that show where and how new homes are best to be developed in each local government area.
planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Local-Housing-Strategies
The Local Housing Strategy Guideline provides a step-by-step process for producing local housing strategies
Local council strategies that are endorsed, in full or part, by the Department (Secretary) may be used:
Endorsed local council strategies are listed below for each of the Department’s regions, and endorsement letters are attached. Only the version of the Strategy at the time of endorsement is considered endorsed and no subsequent amendments.
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA | NAME OF STRATEGY | DATE ENDORSED BY SECRETARY OR DELEGATE |
| Northern Beaches | Warriewood Valley Strategic Review 2013 | 1 May 2013 |
| Canada Bay | Canada Bay Local Planning Strategy 2010-2031 | 27 November 2009 |
| Willoughby | Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Design Strategy | 9 August 2019 |
| Willoughby | Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Design Strategy | 9 July 2020 |
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA | NAME OF STRATEGY | DATE ENDORSED BY SECRETARY OR DELEGATE |
| Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council |
24/07/2016 |
|
| Bungendore Structure Plan | 30/11/2010 | |
| Wagga Wagga City Council | Wagga Wagga Spatial Plan 2013-2043 | 27/02/2014 |
| Albury City Council |
29/10/2013 |
|
| Rural Lands Strategy for Table Top and Splitters Creek | 17/08/2016 | |
| Yass Valley Council | Yass Town and Village Study | 28/06/2011 |
| Junee Shire Council | Junee Residential Strategy 2006 | 11/01/2008 |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Shoalhaven Growth Management Strategy 2014 | 20/05/2014 |
| Wollongong City Council |
20/03/2014 |
|
| Illawarra Escarpment Strategic Management Plan 2015 | 01/12/2015 |
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA | NAME OF STRATEGY | DATE ENDORSED BY SECRETARY OR DELEGATE |
| Upper Hunter | Upper Hunter Land Use Strategy | 21/01/2010 |
| Muswellbrook | Muswellbrook Residential and Rural Residential Strategy 2014 | 08/05/2015 |
| Wyong | Wyong Settlement Strategy 2013 | 17/09/2013 |
| Maitland | Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy 2008 | 01/09/2009 |
| Singleton | Singleton Land Use Strategy | 08/06/2008 |
State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) are instruments that address planning issues on a state-wide level. This is different to a LEP that addresses planning controls for a local government area.
Planning proposals must provide an assessment against the relevant SEPPs and advise on how a proposal may satisfy the requirements of a SEPP.
The current list of SEPPs is located here: legislation.nsw.gov.au/browse/inforce
The directions cover the following broad categories:
The following documents provide advice on Ministerial Directions issued under section 9.1 of the EP&A Act.
Directions for planning proposals
Requires all councils to consider a series of matters when negotiating a planning agreement with a developer for the purposes of affordable housing in connection with a development.
The LEP Making Guideline will help you understand the LEP making process and how to prepare a planning proposal.
All planning proposals and draft LEPs must comply with State law regarding reportable political donations. For more details, including a disclosure form, refer to:
Planning system circulars provide non-statutory advice on NSW Government principles, procedures and practices to assist in implementing relevant planning laws and policies.
Planning practice notes provide updated commentary, guidance, and advice for planning matters generally relating to principle local environmental plans and the Standard Instrument. A practice note is for information purposes only and does not comprise legal advice.
Contributions Practice Notes
Planning Agreements Practice Note
To coincide with the commencement of the NSW Planning Portal and NSW Planning Database on 30 November 2015, the department has developed revised standard technical requirements for spatial datasets and maps contained within planning instrument and other plans.
The standard technical requirements take effect on 30 November 2015 and cover Local Environmental Plans, State Environmental Planning Policies, Development Control Plans and Contributions Plans.
The revised requirements update and consolidate previous requirements and guidance prepared by the department. Previous requirements can be sourced by contacting GIS@planning.nsw.gov.au.
Councils need to prepare spatial data and maps as per the specified standards and submit to the department at draft and final stages via the online submission system for planning data available on the NSW Planning Portal.
The Department’s continuous quality assurance program involves working with councils to ensure that the planning data submitted as part of the plan-making process meets the adopted standard.
Read the document Standard Technical Requirements for spatial datasets and maps.
For more information read the Planning Circular PS15-005 - Commencement of the NSW Planning Portal.
Access to the NSW Planning Portal is here and the Online Submission System for Planning Data is here.
The Parliamentary Counsel's Office (PCO) has issued advice regarding the drafting and notification processes for making delegated plans, which can be found at PCO – Information. PCO also has resources to assist in the drafting process, which can be found at PCO – Resources.
Additional provisions (commonly referred to as ‘local provisions’ or ’model local clauses’) are local clauses that have been settled by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office which address common topics raised by councils in their standard instrument LEP preparation. The use of such settled clauses will reduce the time required to amend a standard instrument LEP.
Where councils would like to use one or more of the examples provided but wish to make some minor alterations to suit their specific circumstances, these may be considered with the appropriate justification, although it is recommended that they be adopted 'as is' wherever possible.
For further information please contact your relevant Place or Regional team.
The Land Use Matrix (XLSX, 110KB) is an Excel spreadsheet that identifies standard land use terms, standard zones and permissibility. It has been prepared by the Department to assist councils with the preparation of local environmental plans consistent with the Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Order 2006. The Matrix also includes permissible land uses under a number of state environmental planning policies.
Councils can complete the Matrix of intended permitted and prohibited land uses to assist in discussions with the Department about their draft plan. Instructions on how to complete the Matrix are provided under the ‘Instructions’ tab of the Excel spreadsheet.
Important note: This information does not constitute legal advice. Users are advised to seek professional advice and refer to the relevant legislation, as necessary.
Disclaimer: While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of publication, the State of New South Wales, its agencies and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document.
The Department provides regular and insightful information on demographics, forecasting and population change here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Research-and-Demography
Page last updated: 04/05/2022