Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP

Overview

What’s this about?

Climate change and natural hazards are increasingly impacting communities across NSW. Planning for these risks will help create more resilient communities, reduce unnecessary future costs, and ensure homes are built in the right locations.

The proposed policy introduces a clear, consistent framework for tackling current and future risks, including climate change and natural hazards (focused on coastal hazards, flooding, bushfires, and urban heat), and rebuilding after natural disasters.

The policy will support the new object in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to better respond to these risks and make decisions that reflect the level of risk involved.

The proposed policy is on exhibition through an Explanation of Intended Effect. As part of the exhibition, we are also seeking feedback on:

• Draft Climate Change Scenario Guidelines outlining climate scenarios to be used with natural hazard frameworks.
• Draft Urban Heat Policy Statement detailing objectives and planning principles to build resilience to urban heat.

Your feedback is valuable and will help inform the making of the Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP. A submissions report will be available on the department’s website once the review is complete.

Have your say

Have your say by 5pm on Monday 16 March 2026.

You can have your say by uploading a written submission on the NSW Planning Portal. You can also join an online information session to hear about the proposed policy and ask any questions you might have.