Social impacts are the consequences people experience when a new project brings change.
This can include impacts on the availability and access to education, healthcare, open space housing and recreation facilities. It could also include safety and security, as well as physical and mental health.
The following policies and guidance should be considered in the assessment of state significant projects.
Social Impact Assessment Guideline
The Social Impact Assessment Guideline is required to be applied for all state significant projects to deliver a clear and consistent approach to assessing social impacts.
The guideline provides a framework to identify, predict and evaluate likely social impacts and propose responses to them as part of the overall environmental assessment. It is supported by a Technical Supplement, which provides additional guidance for proponents and practitioners.
Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects
These guidelines require upfront and ongoing engagement for all state significant projects. It helps deliver meaningful engagement tailored to the needs of stakeholders, supports a fair and transparent assessment and is consistent with the department’s community participation objectives.
View the Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects
Cumulative Impact Assessment Guidelines for State Significant Projects
These guidelines provide guidance and advice to ensure impacts that are cumulative with other projects are effectively and consistently considered in state significant projects. This guideline supports better assessment, appropriate decision-making, and achieves better planning outcomes.
View the Cumulative Impact Assessment Guidelines for State Significant Projects
Crime Prevention and the Assessment of Development Applications
These guidelines help councils identify crime risk and minimise opportunities for crime through the appropriate assessment of development proposals, drawing on principles from crime prevention through environmental design.
View the Crime Prevention and the Assessment of Development Applications Guidelines
Voluntary Land Acquisition and Mitigation Policy
This policy describes the NSW Government’s approach for voluntary mitigation and land acquisition to address noise and dust impacts from state significant mining, petroleum and extractive industry developments.
View the Voluntary Land Acquisition and Mitigation Policy
Framework for Securing a VPA Between a Mining Proponent of a Major Development and a Local Council
This framework, prepared by the Mining and Energy Related Councils of NSW and the NSW Minerals Council, provides optional principles and processes that can be used by councils and mining companies when negotiating planning contributions.