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A review program for State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) to deliver a modern planning system is underway. The review is underpinned by the Government's commitment to simplify the NSW planning system and reduce complexity without reducing the rigour necessary in considering matters of State and regional significance.
This review process will modernise, simplify and improve the effectiveness and usability of policies.
The SEPP review program is examining the existing policies to consider:
The review intends to remove policy and controls that are duplicated in strategies, regional plans and local environmental plans.
Delivery of policies through the standard instrument Local Environmental Plans is a priority, where possible and appropriate. The role and importance of SEPPs to deal with matters of State or regional environmental planning significance will not be diminished.
The review will be rolled out in several phases. Stage 1 is now complete with amendments commenced on 5 August 2016. Stage 2 of the review is now underway.
The NSW Government has finalised the review of 16 State Environmental Planning Policies. The review identified provisions that are:
Circular PS 16-002 advises councils and practitioners of changes introduced by Stage 1 of the SEPP review.
The following SEPPs were repealed in Stage 1:
Details of the specific amendments to the planning instruments include:
A range of SEPPs are progressively being reviewed in Stage 2 of the SEPP review program.
So far the Department has sought public comment on proposed amendments comprising:
The Department is still considering feedback on some of these proposals, and is continuing to progress its review of other SEPPs.
The Department will continue to seek public comments on further proposed amendments to other SEPPs coming from the review, to be made available for public consultation. Details of these proposals will be added to this page, as they are released for exhibition.
Details of the specific amendments to the planning instruments include:
In addition to the SEPP review program, the Department developed new SEPPs which have now been finalised:
The protection of major infrastructure corridors has been achieved through the making of the Corridor Protection SEPP.
Corridor Protection SEPP
The protection of major infrastructure corridors has been achieved through the making of the Corridor Protection State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Infrastructure Corridors) 2020 (SEPP).
Read more about the SEPP
The Design and Place SEPP aims to reduce prescriptive measures and encourage innovation by establishing central principles for design and place.
The Design and Place SEPP aims to reduce prescriptive measures and encourage innovation by establishing central principles for design and place.
View more and watch the webinar
The NSW government has been working towards developing a new State Environmental Planning Policy for the protection of our natural environment.
A new planning framework commenced on 28 February 2019 to further support primary production and rural development.
A new planning framework commenced on 28 February 2019 to further support primary production and rural development.
We’re continuously monitoring the Codes SEPP to ensure it is effectively reducing red tape, costs and delays for exempt and complying development.
We’re continuously monitoring the Codes SEPP to ensure it is effectively reducing red tape, costs and delays for low impact exempt and complying development.
Find out the latest changes
The Mining SEPP aims to manage and sustainably develop these resources for the social and economic benefit of the community.
The Mining SEPP aims to manage and sustainably develop these resources for the social and economic benefit of the community.
View the amendment
Penrith Lakes is governed by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Penrith Lakes Scheme) 1989, commonly known as the Penrith Lakes SEPP.
Penrith Lakes is governed by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Penrith Lakes Scheme) 1989, commonly known as the Penrith Lakes SEPP.
Read about the changes
The repeal of operational SEPPs commenced on 1 February 2020. The change helps simplify and modernise the planning system by removing duplicated, redundant and outdated planning controls.
Repeal of operational SEPPs
The repeal of operational SEPPs commenced on 1 February 2020. The change helps simplify and modernise the planning system by removing duplicated, redundant and outdated planning controls.
View the details
An amendment to the SRD SEPP is proposed for the development of government-owned land adjoining the Sydney Metro Northwest corridor.
Sydney Metro Northwest SRD SEPP amendment
An amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) 2011 is proposed for the development of government-owned land adjoining the Sydney Metro Northwest corridor.
Find out more
Port Botany, Port Kembla and the Port of Newcastle are recognised as state significant precincts due to their importance to the NSW economy.