Wednesday 9 September 2026

The new Statewide Community Participation Plan came into effect on 1 September 2026 as part of the rollout of planning reforms. The plan replaces more than 100 individual community participation plans previously used across New South Wales. 

The aim of the plan is to ensure consultation is clear, consistent, and accessible across NSW, giving everyone an equal opportunity to have their say on planning decisions, regardless of where they live. 

The plan standardises consultation and public exhibition timeframes for planning functions across NSW while encouraging community engagement earlier in the planning process, where it can have the greatest impact. While the Statewide Community Participation Plan sets out exhibition timeframes and guiding principles, councils will continue to determine the most appropriate ways to engage with their local communities on planning matters through their own engagement strategies. 

Transitional arrangements apply to development and modification applications that were lodged before 1 September 2026 but had not yet been determined. These applications will continue to be assessed under the community participation requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 that applied at the time they were lodged. 

The Statewide Community Participation Plan will be reviewed periodically in accordance with section 2.24(3) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. 

The Department will continue to work with stakeholders to monitor the effectiveness of these changes and support the timely delivery of new homes across the state. 

- Parker Scanlon Town Planning Team