Wednesday 12 November 2025

Today, the Minns Labor Government’s landmark Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 has passed both houses of Parliament with overwhelming support, paving the way for a faster, fairer and modern planning system.

The NSW Government have recently introduced some amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 into the Lower House of Parliament. The intent is to make the planning system quicker and simpler to navigate, allowing for the delivery of more homes through a modern, faster and fairer system. This is considered to be the biggest overhaul of the planning system within the last decade.

The changes include modernising the Objects of the Act by adding objectives relating to housing and climate change and promote risk based assessments whilst retaining the importance of conservation and minimising environmental impacts.

The government has established a Development Coordination Authority (DCA) who will act on behalf of all the relevant government departments required to be referred to for individual applications. This will reduce conflicting agency advice received during the referral process.

Along with the DCA, the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) was established in January 2025 and will replace the existing Regionally Significant Planning Panel and Regional Planning Panel. The HDA should provide a faster and more certain pathway approval pathway for major housing developments. There are currently a number of major housing developments within the Hunter Region which have been reviewed by the HDA and declared State Significant Development.

Parker Scanlon's Town Planning team can assist you in navigating the new legislation and advise on the best pathways for approval of your next project.