The NSW planning system is expected to be faster, easier to use and more transparent thanks to the delivery of a raft of new reforms aimed at improving the assessment of State significant projects.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Group Deputy Secretary of Planning and Assessment, Marcus Ray, said major projects were an important economic driver and that’s why NSW needs a predictable and fast planning system.
“The new Rapid Assessment Framework will slash end-to-end assessment times for major projects like hospitals, warehouses and schools by at least 21 days, by making the process easier for everyone involved,” Mr Ray said.
Under the current regime, State significant development (SSD) proposals must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). When preparing an EIS, the project proponent must have regard to the Departments environmental assessment requirements called SEARs, which are often time consuming for the Department to prepare on a project by project basis.
The Department is now proposing to create ‘template’ SEARs for certain categories of low-impact SSD proposals that are consistent with the existing land use planning framework. The ‘template’ SEARs are designed to streamline the assessment process. As part of the Framework, the Department has released draft template SEARs for warehousing and distribution centres, hospitals and development in State significant precincts
Mr Ray said the Rapid Assessments Framework will provide clear, upfront guidance on the Department’s expectations on what is needed for an applicant’s environmental assessment, to cut time out of the process.
“The package includes new guidelines on cumulative and social impact assessment that will ensure communities are involved from the earliest stage of the process, and there is a robust technical assessment leading to better planning outcomes on the ground,” Mr Ray said.
“We’re also updating the rules for the requirements for applications, so they automatically expire after two years. This is to make sure we get the best, most recent and relevant information to assess and for the community to have its say.
“It’s the most significant improvement to the major projects system in the last decade and will make the planning journey easier for everyone.”
The Rapid Assessments Framework was on public exhibition from December 2020 to February 2021 and includes:
- Efficient processes to make lodging an application faster;
- A comprehensive set of guidelines;
- Pre-prepared industry specific requirements for applications;
- A two-year limit on the expiration of specific requirements for applications; and
- The introduction of a new quality assurance scheme for planners conducting environmental assessments.
Refer to the Planning Circular attachment
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