The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2025, which has now passed through Parliament, introduces several key changes aimed at cutting red tape and expediting housing approvals.
The reforms will streamline decision-making for housing State Significant Development (SSD) applications that have been recommended by the Housing Delivery Authority, allowing these projects to move through the system more efficiently.
Additional housing SSD applications, including infill affordable and build-to-rent housing, will also benefit from reduced bureaucratic processes under the new legislation.
The amendments provide greater flexibility in exhibition periods for certain housing SSD projects, potentially shortening approval timeframes for critical housing developments.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the changes represent an important step in addressing the state’s housing challenges.
“This is another step forward in our plan to tackle the housing and planning challenge head-on,” Mr Scully said.
“We’re removing the barriers that slow down good development and focusing on what matters, building more homes.”
The legislation also clarifies how submissions are counted and considered during the planning process.
Only submissions received during public exhibition periods will be counted for determining consent authorities and appeal rights, though late submissions can still be considered in assessments.
Local councils will gain additional support in making practical planning decisions, including modifications to development consents, with the amendments clarifying several court decisions that had created uncertainty.
The reforms modernise the planning framework for affordable housing contribution requirements by enabling all types of environmental planning instruments to include requirements for affordable housing contributions.
References to the ‘Six Cities Region’ and district plans have been removed from the legislation, enabling a new regional strategic plan for Greater Sydney and creating consistency in the strategic planning framework across NSW.
Since the establishment of the Housing Delivery Authority, 86 proposals have entered the state’s planning system, highlighting the need for more efficient assessment processes.
“With these changes, we’re making it clear that NSW is serious about delivering more affordable homes and supporting councils to make practical, timely planning decisions,” Mr Scully said.
The amendments build upon other reforms that have been implemented to reduce development application assessment times, speed up construction approvals, support renewable energy rollout, and encourage more housing delivery.
“Since the Housing Delivery Authority was established, 86 proposals will now enter the State’s planning system, it only makes sense that we streamline this process through this bill and make it simpler and more efficient to assess,” Mr Scully said.
“The amendments to the Act build on the other reforms which are cutting development application assessment times, speeding up construction approvals, supporting the rollout of renewable energy and encouraging the delivery of more housing, including affordable housing.”
