Governance

Established under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (1979), Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) members include Simon Draper, Secretary of the Premier’s Department; Kiersten Fishburn, Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; and Tom Gellibrand, Chief Executive of Infrastructure NSW.

Division 2.3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 established the HDA as a NSW government agency and sets out its governance arrangements. How it conducts its business is set out in the:

• HDA Terms of Reference (PDF, 93 KB)
• HDA Operating Procedures (PDF, 230 KB)
• HDA Code of Conduct (PDF, 198 KB)

The HDA is a key part of the NSW Government’s planning reforms and will be continually improved to ensure its long-term sustainability in delivering much-needed housing across the state.

When appropriate, the HDA conducts reviews into aspects of its day-to-day processes, decision‑making procedures and stakeholder interactions to ensure that its operations and activities are undertaken with transparency, integrity and in accordance with established HDA governance requirements.

In accordance with the HDA Terms of Reference (PDF, 93 KB) the Department supported a comprehensive review following the first 12 months of HDA operation. The review was led by an independent team within the Department and included targeted consultation with industry and local government stakeholders.

Read the Summary of HDA 12 Month Review (PDF, 482 KB).

Recommended changes

The review identified a small number of process and operational improvements. The HDA has endorsed implementing the recommended changes, which include improvements to operational performance and timeliness, and updated EOI criteria to better target areas of strategic alignment and put a stronger focus on improving affordable housing outcomes.

The recommended changes are being introduced in stages to ensure the HDA remains aligned with the NSW Government’s broader planning reforms and continues to operate efficiently and effectively. The updated criteria will apply to all EOI applications considered from the HDA’s adoption of the changes on 29 April, onwards. The Department will work with applicants to address the updated criteria where required.

Expressions of interest

The updated criteria provide clearer guidance on how EOI applications are evaluated. EOIs that address the previous criteria but are yet to be considered by the HDA will be evaluated against the updated criteria. Where required, the Department will reach out to applicants for further information to allow evaluation against the updated criteria.

EOIs already declared SSD through the HDA pathway will not be affected and SSDAs lodged will continue to be assessed on their merits. EOIs that have not yet been considered by the HDA will be evaluated against the updated criteria.

Applicants should not withdraw an existing EOI and resubmit a new one to reduce possible delays.

Where required, the Department will reach out to applicants for further information to allow evaluation against the updated criteria.

Read the Process Review Report (PDF, 641 KB).

The review did not identify any issues with the integrity of the statutory decision-making process undertaken by the HDA in its recommendations to the Minister. There was no impact to successful EOIs previously considered by the HDA.

The review made 4 key recommendations, all of which have been implemented

Read the Summary of probity review of HDA EOI application 229650 (PDF, 345 KB).

On 17 February 2025, the Minister declared EOI 229650 as state significant development in accordance with s 4.36(3) of the EP&A Act (SSD Order).

The Department had since found that the land listed in the SSD Order didn't match the land in the EOI. The Minister then amended the SSD Order to include only land the proponent controlled.

The review made 6 recommendations which have been considered through the 12 month review and iterative improvements to the HDA's processes.