The Government is taking a staged approach to the commencement of the new Act to ensure a smooth transition to the new measures.
While most of the changes will commence on 1 March 2018, there will be a number of other changes that will involve further design and consultation.
These new features of the planning system, will commence in a staged manner, as illustrated in the table below:
| New obligation | Estimated commencement |
| Ending transitional arrangements for Part 3A |
Early 2018 |
| Local planning panels |
Early 2018 |
| Statement of reasons |
Mid 2018 |
| Changes to concurrences and referrals |
Late 2018 |
| Changes to conditions for major projects |
Late 2018 |
| Enforceable undertakings |
Late 2018 |
| Local strategic planning statements |
Late 2019 for Greater Sydney and Mid 2020 for the rest of NSW |
| LEP check |
Late 2019 |
| Community participation plans |
Late 2019 |
| Improvements to complying development |
Late 2019 |
| Building and subdivision | Late 2019 |
| Standard format development control plans |
Mid 2020 |
This will provide time for councils, communities, industry and practitioners to understand and prepare for the new requirements, including by updating their documents and forms to reflect the new structure.
Most of the changes will come into effect from 1 March 2018. Other changes will take longer to switch on and will involve further consultation.
New features such as community participation plans and local strategic planning statements will be introduced over time to ensure all stakeholders can prepare for changes, supported by appropriate guidance, templates and other resources.
This page will be regularly updated with the details of how the staged implementation will be carried out.
To learn more about the changes to the Act see Part 1 - New Objects of the Act.
Page last updated: 01/04/2019
