Have your say
The NSW Government is seeking feedback on proposed changes to development assessment requirements and processes that will improve the quality of local development applications (DAs), streamline the development assessment process, and make it faster and easier to build new homes.
An interactive digital tool is proposed to guide applicants through local DA requirements based on their specific project, providing tailored advice and best practice guidance. The tool will be supported by streamlined DA requirements and clear standards for application documents and drawings. This will include when specialist reports are required for matters such as noise, tree clearing, and stormwater management. The reforms propose to replace fragmented and inconsistent DA requirements with a consistent, easy-to-understand framework across NSW.
Changes to the development assessment process are also proposed to streamline DA lodgement through an online payment gateway for fees, a deemed lodgement process, and clearer terminology in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (EP&A Regulation). Additional changes will clarify DA amendment provisions and exclude the Christmas/New Year period from deemed approval and deemed non-refusal timeframes.
Collectively, the reforms proposed in this discussion paper aim to:
- improve the overall quality and consistency of DAs
- reduce delays associated with incomplete or inconsistent information
- support faster assessment and decision making
- deliver faster outcomes
- provide a better user experience and increased certainty for all users of the planning system.
How to provide feedback
The discussion paper is now available for you to read and provide feedback on. You can provide your feedback by making a formal submission below up until 5pm, 30 July 2026.
More information
To read more about the Planning System Reforms visit the NSW Planning website.
If you have questions about the Planning System Reforms Act 2025, email [email protected]