The state has made big changes to its current planning laws with housing delivery at the front and centre.
A new planning bill has passed both houses of parliament in New South Wales, in the state’s latest effort to deliver housing supply faster.
Described as a significant overhaul of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), the Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 aims to modernise NSW’s planning system so more homes can be delivered across the state.
The Bill could modernise NSW's planning system to enable faster approvals for new homes. Picture: Getty
For nearly 50 years, the EP&A Act has been the foundation for housing, infrastructure and energy delivery in NSW. Development decisions were made through the Act but, according to the state government, it has increasingly become a barrier, delaying construction and the delivery of new homes.
NSW premier Chris Minns described it as a system that was “slow, complex and out of step with the necessity to deliver more homes for those who need them”.
The state, he said, had been held back for too long, and it was time for new rules that represented a “major step forward for NSW housing and planning reform”.
“These reforms will help us build more homes faster, in the right places, giving young people and families the chance to access a home.”
Under the new Bill, a range of changes are set to streamline planning approvals and cut red tape. They include:
- Creating a central Development Coordination Authority to advise on large projects across NSW government agencies
- Enshrining the Housing Delivery Authority in law
- Expanding Complying Development pathways to enable faster approvals for low-impact projects
- Introducing a new Targeted Assessment Pathway for projects already in planning and community consultation stages
- Amending the EP&A Act to include housing delivery, climate resilience and proportionality for the first time
- Implementing a single Community Participation Consultation Plan, replacing more than 100 separate plans
- Removing duplication in regional planning panels and assessment pathways.
The EP&A Act has been the foundation of housing delivery in nearly 50 years. Picture: Getty
According to NSW minister for planning and public spaces Paul Scully, the “overwhelming support” from the parliament showcases a “shared commitment” in tackling the state’s housing challenges.
“This Bill will enable a planning system fit for the 21st century, one that supports housing and energy delivery, encourages job creation, investment and builds better communities,” Mr Scully said.
“I thank my parliamentary colleagues for recognising that reform was overdue and working constructively to help deliver it.”
Industry bodies have welcomed the collaborative approach to defining the Bill’s passage, with the Property Council of Australia noting it strikes a balance between speeding up delivery and maintaining oversight.
“These reforms improve coordination, simplify pathways and introduce common-sense safeguards. It’s exactly the kind of system-wide fix NSW needs to turn approvals into real homes and projects,” NSW executive director Anita Hugo said.
“The Bill embeds long-term thinking about people, places and productivity into the heart of the planning system. It gives government and industry a stronger platform for collaboration.”
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