Arrangements for critical State significant infrastructure projects
In 2015, DPHI Planning established the Protocol on Critical State Significant Infrastructure Assessment Procedures (CSSI Protocol). The CSSI Protocol outlines the key roles and responsibilities of CSSI project proponents, advising agencies and DPHI Planning in order to achieve faster and better whole-of-government assessment of CSSI projects.
The CSSI Protocol sets out the measures for a proponent to act as a ‘Model Proponent’ to streamline and improve environmental assessments of CSSI projects and, maintains interagency service-level arrangements to ensure timely processing of CSSI projects through improved communication and early identification of assessment issues for resolution.
The CSSI Protocol establishes standardised processes and requirements of key stakeholders needed to reduce the time and costs taken by the whole-of-government assessment process.
View the Model Proponent Fact Sheet
Funding arrangements for NSW proponent agencies
Since 2016, DPHI Planning has entered into funding arrangements via Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with proponent agencies delivering budget-funded and/or critical state significant infrastructure development programs – including NSW and Australian government agencies and some private infrastructure delivery entities.
MOUs support the strong relationships necessary to deliver the DPHI Planning-led whole-of-government assessment of budget-funded programs and/or critical state significant infrastructure. MOUs enable Planning to recruit and retain resources to make strong, fair and quick assessments and maintain engagement with key proponent agencies consistent with DPHI Planning engagement frameworks.
These agreements vary, but all commit to establish dedicated resources within DPHI Planning teams and performance standards to facilitate assessment, post-approval, compliance, and advisory services for a specific pipeline of projects. Most agreements also establish annual funding mechanisms in lieu of other regulatory fees.