The section 9.1 Ministerial Direction – Local Plan Making (Ministerial Direction) guides the preparation and assessment of planning proposals across NSW. 

It establishes direction principles that must be considered when preparing or amending a local environmental plan (LEP).

The Section 9.1 Ministerial Direction – Local Plan Making (PDF, 6.1 MB) provides a single, consolidated framework for local plan making, helping councils, agencies and proponents align local planning decisions with NSW Government’s land use planning priorities.

Read the Ministerial Direction

Purpose of the Ministerial Direction

The Ministerial Direction is issued by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces under section 9.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

It supports consistent decision-making across NSW by providing a strategic framework for local plan making that:

  • aligns local planning with statewide land use planning priorities and policies
  • supports housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental outcomes
  • provides clear direction for proponents and planning proposal authorities
  • promotes a consistent approach to preparing and assessing planning proposals.

Land use planning priorities

The Ministerial Direction is organised around the 7 state land use planning priorities. Each priority is supported by direction principles that set out the requirements planning proposal authorities must consider when preparing planning proposals.

Decorative

Aboriginal Outcomes

Embed co-design to recognise Country in planning outcomes that support social, cultural, environmental, and economic self-determination for Aboriginal communities.

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Housed

Drive housing delivery, affordability and diversity including maintaining feasible housing capacity in well-located areas accessible to jobs and transport.

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Prosperous

Grow resilient and innovative economies by supporting job creation, emerging and diverse industries and strengthening supply chains.

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Connected

Link communities with efficient transport systems, making homes, jobs, and services easier to reach and more accessible.

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Resilient

Support a sustainable environment and biodiversity that helps achieve net zero and builds resilience so communities can better withstand hazards and environmental pressures.

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Liveable

Build vibrant communities that support quality of life through more public spaces, better urban design and strong social cohesion.

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Coordinated

Align land use with infrastructure delivery by supporting planned growth areas with infrastructure investment.

How to apply the Ministerial Direction

The direction applies when preparing a planning proposal.

  1. Identify relevant priorities

    Determine which priorities and direction principles apply to the proposal.

  2. Review the applicable direction principles

    Consider how the proposal addresses the relevant direction principles and any supporting evidence required.

  3. Demonstrate consistency

    Explain how the planning proposal is consistent, or substantially consistent with the applicable direction principles. 

  4. Justify any inconsistency

    Where a planning proposal is inconsistent with the direction principle, provide justification in accordance with the Ministerial Direction.

Updates to the Ministerial Direction

The Ministerial Direction may be updated periodically to reflect changes to legislation, policy and planning priorities. Further information can be found in the Planning system updates: Section 9.1 Ministerial Direction – Local Plan Making fact sheet (PDF, 123 KB). 

If you require an earlier version of the direction, email the Department’s Planning Advice and Partnerships team at [email protected]

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