An overhaul of how the community participates and has their say with large, impactful developments is before the public until 3 June.
In a media release, the NSW government says they are ‘making it easier to have your say on planning proposals and ending confusion by developing a single Community Participation Plan, that will give communities a clearer way to have their say on planning decisions, no matter where they live’.
‘The draft statewide Community Participation Plan is now on public exhibition and once in place will introduce a consistent approach across all of NSW.
‘Currently, there are more than 100 different Community Participation Plans across the state – each with its own approach, timeframes and thresholds for consultation on planning matters.
‘This has led to inconsistent consultation practices and confusion for proponents, homeowners, community members and other stakeholders trying to engage with and navigate the planning system. For example, right now there can be different approaches on opposite sides of the same street for both community consultation and work notification requirements.
‘Consulting the community is a central part of the NSW planning system and the introduction of a single Community Participation Plan will simplify this and standardise public exhibition and consultation requirements across the state.
‘The draft plan reframes NSW’s approach to community consultation by putting the primary focus on strategic planning and major complex development applications instead of sweating the small stuff.
‘It proposes longer timeframes for the community to have their say on strategic planning proposals that set out where development should occur and where infrastructure is needed; while reducing the number of low-impact development application types required to be exhibited by councils, speeding up assessment and decision making.
‘Key changes include:
- Extending minimum consultation timeframes on significant state-level strategic planning initiatives like the recent draft Sydney Plan and the State Plan from 45 days to 60 days.
- Standardising the process for notification of Complying Development across the state and giving neighbours 7 days’ notice before any works begin.
- Making public exhibition requirements clear for different types of local development so that councils do not need to exhibit things like new single or two storey houses or sheds and pools that already meet with planning controls.
‘Importantly, councils will still be able to tailor their own community engagement strategies to suit local needs and feed into other council plans and policies.
‘This is the next step in implementing the Minns Labor Government’s landmark legislative planning reforms which passed through parliament in November 2025 with almost universal support. The reforms make the planning system faster, fairer and more focused on outcomes so it is easier to build homes, attract jobs and enhance the environment.
‘The reforms include the creation of the Development Coordination Authority which will create a one-stop shop for government agency input on planning matters, streamlined approvals for minor modifications to existing DAs and fairer review and appeal processes.
‘The draft Community Participation Plan and discussion paper are on exhibition until Wednesday 3 June 2026. To have your say, visit https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/proposed-statewide-cpp‘
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