Improving Development Assessment

Overview

What’s this about?

The NSW Government has released a discussion paper outlining proposed changes to development assessment requirements and processes. We intend these changes to:

• improve the quality of local development applications (DAs)
• streamline the development assessment process
• make it faster and easier to build new homes. 

We are proposing an interactive digital tool. This tool would guide applicants through local DA requirements. It will provide tailored advice and best-practice guidance based on their specific project. The tool will be supported by:

• streamlined DA requirements
• clear standards for application documents and drawings.

This will include when specialist reports are required for matters such as:

• noise
• tree clearing
• stormwater management.

The reforms propose to end fragmented and inconsistent DA requirements. The aim is to replace them with a consistent, easy-to-understand framework across NSW. 

Changes to the development assessment process are also proposed, including:

• streamlining DA lodgement through an online payment gateway for fees
• a deemed lodgement process
• clearer terminology in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

Other changes will:

• clarify DA amendment provisions
• exclude the Christmas/New Year period from deemed approval and deemed non-refusal timeframes. 

The reforms proposed in this discussion paper aim to: 

• improve the quality and consistency of DAs 
• reduce delays associated with incomplete or inconsistent information 
• support faster assessment and decision making 
• deliver faster outcomes 
• provide a better user experience
• provide increased certainty for all users of the planning system.

Have your say

Have your say by 5pm Thursday 30 July 2026.

You can provide feedback in one way.