Introduction
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has
announced proposed amendments to the Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), affecting the strategic
planning and approvals processes. The amendments are intended in
part to expedite the grant of development consents, but are
broad-ranging and will have commercial implications for various
forms of development.
The relevant documents have been on public exhibition since 10
January 2017. Recently DPE extended the public consultation period
so that submissions can now be made until 31 March 2017 (instead of
10 March 2017). The proposed amendments are expected to be
introduced into State Parliament soon after public consultation. It
is not clear whether the recent changes in the NSW Government
ministry will result in any changes to the content and/or timing of
the proposed reforms.
