The Planning Reform Bill proposes removing the regional significant development pathway and disbanding Joint Regional Planning Panels (JRPPs).
Regional Planning in NSW was established via reform in 2009 to introduce independent decision-making for significant developments and rezonings. JRPPs were created to place emphasis on regional planning considerations.
Currently, JRPPs determine development applications valued above $30 million and conduct rezoning reviews. These panels are chaired and majority-staffed by state-appointed members who base their decisions on alignment with broader state priorities, such as housing supply, social infrastructure and employment growth.
If the proposed reforms become a reality, decision-making for development over $30 million would shift from state-appointed panels and return largely back to local councils and their respective planning panels. However, the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway and the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway – for large residential projects remain unchanged.
Over more than a decade, JRPPs have provided:
What’s uncertain
Several questions remain unanswered:
“While the HDA will provide an accelerated, State-led pathway for housing projects over $60 million, there will be many projects valued between $30 and $60 million that will now go back to councils for determination,” explains Ian Cady, Director: Planning at Ratio’s Sydney office.
The practical impact will depend on how implementation unfolds, but developers with projects between $30 million and $60 million should closely monitor the reforms.
Need guidance on NSW planning reforms? Contact our Sydney team to discuss how these reforms may impact your project.
