The NSW planning system requires reform to streamline approval processes, reduce delays, and support economic growth and housing delivery.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) – the backbone of the State’s planning framework – is struggling to keep pace with the need for change.
But is the solution to start fresh or refine what we have?
NSW is in the grip of a housing crisis, and the planning system is not keeping pace. The EP&A Act has been layered with decades of amendments and become a barrier to timely housing delivery.
Cumulative costs, drawn-out assessment timeframes, complexities in the legislation and inconsistent decision-making across government have made the NSW planning system cumbersome and reactive.
Now is the time for bold changes. Reforming the EP&A Act will streamline the planning system in NSW, support the delivery of housing and provide greater certainty to the construction industry.
Our Urbis experts have looked at what makes a modern planning framework successful. Read more about out 6 key insights:
- Strategic Planning First: Setting the Vision Before the Application
- Fast-Tracked Code Assessment: Streamline and Simplify Approval Pathways
- Harnessing Digital & AI: Planning in the digital era
- Positive Feedback Loop: Inclusive and Effective Outcomes
- Certainty for Contributions: Fair, transparent, and Timely Infrastructure Funding
- From Prohibitor to Facilitator: Enabling Good Development.
Download our Rethinking the EP&A Act report or click the cover below.
Reach out to Sarah Horsfield, Stewart Doran or Eliza Scobie in our NSW planning team to discuss our insights, or connect with one of our National Planning experts to discuss your local planning needs.