A corridor is a strip of land used for transport or other major infrastructure. Corridor protection is the process of reserving these strips of land for future transport or major infrastructure needs.
Transport and Infrastructure SEPP amendment (Chapter 4 Major Infrastructure Corridors)
Proposed provisions for the interim use of corridors
The department has prepared an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) to outline proposed amendments to Chapter 4 of the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP.
The proposed amendment will include additional provision to allow the temporary use of corridor land. It will facilitate economic, urban design and place making outcomes on corridor land prior to infrastructure delivery.
The objectives of the new provisions are to:
- Maintain protection of future infrastructure corridors so that temporary development does not compromise future delivery of city shaping infrastructure or contribute to delivery costs to government.
- Facilitate temporary development outcomes on land that is transitioning prior to the delivery of future infrastructure.
The amendment will provide a merit-based approach for determining appropriate temporary land uses.
It is proposed to amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 to give effect to this proposed pathway by requiring a development application for the proposed temporary use to be accompanied by a plan of management prepared by the proponent.
It is also proposed that the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP clarify the relationship between Chapter 4 of the instrument and State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (the Codes SEPP), to confirm which complying development codes under the Codes SEPP apply to land identified as a future infrastructure corridor.
The department sought feedback on the proposed amendments from 22 August to 19 September 2022.
Lower Hunter Freight Corridor
Transport for NSW has finalised the location of the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor following consultation with the community.
The NSW Government is committed to reducing travel times and creating a more reliable rail network for passenger and freight services. To support this, a rail corridor between Fassifern and Hexham has been identified for development of the new freight line.
To support the finalised corridor, the Department of Planning and Environment has protected the corridor to safeguard the land from future disruptive development. The corridor protection phase of the project is separate to the approval required for the delivery of the new rail line. The design and operation of the rail line will be subject to a separate approval.
For more information please visit Lower Hunter Freight Corridor.
Western Sydney Corridors
3 corridors have been finalised.
1 dropped – Bells line of Rd – Castlereagh connection.
Protected
- South west rail link extension.
- Western Sydney freight line stage one.
- North south rail line – being used by metro WSA line (delivery).
Under consideration
- Outer Sydney Orbital
In 2018, Transport for NSW proposed 5 corridors for future transport infrastructure to support the growing population of Western Sydney.
A discussion paper detailing the proposed changes was on pubic exhibition and the community were invited to have their say.
Changes to protect the following three corridors have been finalised:
- North South Rail Line, with work on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport underway
- South West Rail Link Extension
- Western Sydney Freight Line – Stage 1
The corridor for the future Outer Sydney Orbital – Stage 1 is under consideration.
The proposed fifth corridor for the Bells Line of Road, Castlereagh connection has been withdrawn.
More information
For more information please visit Transport for NSW Corridor projects.
Page last updated: 02/02/2023