Current planning system circulars provide point-in-time non‑statutory guidance to support the consistent application of planning principles, processes and practices across NSW.
Circulars that are no longer current are available at archived planning system circulars.
| Planning circular | Description | Date issued and planning principle |
|---|---|---|
| PS 26-002: Flexible approach to managing freight and logistic developments (PDF, 190 KB) | This circular advises councils to consider the broader context and the need for supply chain recovery when responding to any complaints that may be received regarding out of hours operations for warehouse and distribution centres. | 30 March 2026 Planning Systems |
| PS 26-001: Flooding and land use planning (PDF, 355 KB) | The circular outlines existing flood-related planning policies and provides further information and advice on their application in planning. The circular also provides updates on flood-related policy initiatives underway, including action taken in response to the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry. | 13 February 2026 Planning Systems |
| PS 25-005: Disclosure of information about domestic and family violence refuges (PDF, 185 KB) | This circular provides information to consent authorities, practitioners and applicants about disclosure obligations when assessing and notifying planning applications for domestic and family violence refuges. | 3 November 2025 Housing |
| PS 25-004: Changes to how development costs are calculated for planning purposes (PDF, 274 KB) | This circular replaces Planning Circular PS 24-002. It outlines changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (EP&A Regulation) to replace the methodology for 'estimated cost of development' and 'capital investment value' with a new, single methodology for ‘estimated development cost’ (EDC) and related changes to other regulatory provisions and environmental planning instruments (EPIs). | 9 October 2025 Planning Systems |
| PS 25-003: Building fire safety measures for tourist and visitor accommodation in the Alpine Region (PDF, 199 KB) | This circular advises consent authorities, agencies, applicants and certifiers of amendments to Chapter 4 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts - Regional) 2021 and related fire safety standards for tourist and visitor accommodation in the Kosciuszko Alpine Region. These changes commenced on 1 October 2025. | 1 October 2025 Planning Systems |
| PS 25-001: Best practice consultation of draft conditions of consent prior to determination (PDF, 153 KB) | This circular advises as best practice councils should provide the draft conditions of consent to the applicant, where the development application will result in 30 or more dwellings, for the applicant’s review prior to determination. | 7 April 2025 Planning Systems |
| PS 24-007: Consideration of proposed EPIs under section 4.15(1)(a)(ii) of the EP&A Act (PDF, 143 KB) | This circular advises consent authorities about the need to consider proposed environmental planning instruments when determining a development application. | 16 December 2024 Planning Systems |
| PS 21-037: Guidance for centre-based child care facilities (PDF, 197 KB) | This circular advises councils, practitioners and applicants on the relationship between the State Environmental Planning Policy (Educational Establishments and Child Care Facilities) 2017, the Child Care Planning Guideline, and development control plans. | 2 December 2021 Transport and Infrastructure |
| PS 21-033: Planning certificates: coastal hazards (PDF, 139 KB) | This circular provides guidance on the disclosure of coastal hazards on planning certificates issued under section 10.7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). | 2 December 2021 Resilience and Hazards |
| PS 21-025: Conditions of consent for fibre-ready facilities and telecommunications infrastructure (PDF, 156 KB) | The purpose of this circular is to advise consent authorities that all development consents (unless exempted) should include conditions to ensure that modern telecommunications infrastructure is provided in respect of all premises to be constructed in developments. | 2 December 2021 Transport and Infrastructure |
| PS 21-010 Development on bush fire prone land (PDF, 149 KB) | This circular outlines the planning considerations that apply to development on bush fire prone land, including application to planning proposals, development applications and complying development. | 2 December 2021 Resilience and Hazards |
| PS 21-009: Planning for coastal hazards (PDF, 153 KB) | This circular provides guidance on assessment of coastal hazards under Chapter 2: Coastal Management of State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 and the Coastal Management Act 2016. | 2 December 2021 Resilience and Hazards |