Step 2: Check if your works affect coastal wetlands or littoral rainforest

Use this step to find out whether your proposed works will impact a coastal wetland or littoral rainforest. These areas are protected under NSW law, and impacts can change the type of approval you need.

Will the works impact a mapped coastal wetland or littoral rainforest?

If you answered yes

If your proposed works will affect a mapped coastal wetland or littoral rainforest, they are classified as Designated Development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

What this means

• You may need to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• You must lodge a Development Application (DA) with your local council.
• Council will consider the EIA before deciding whether the works can proceed.

Environmental protection works

Works still require a DA, but you do not need to prepare an EIA if your project is for environmental protection, such as:

• revegetation or bush regeneration
• wetland or dune restoration
• erosion protection works
• ecological burning
• weed control.

For details on lodging your DA, go to Step 4: Development application

If you are not sure

Designated Development

Coastal wetland and littoral rainforest are regulated under the Coastal Management Act 2016 and State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021. Impact to these areas needs to be assessed as designated development under Part 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

This means you may need a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) if your works could:

• change the natural water flow to or from the area
• affect the health or stability of the wetland or rainforest, such as its soil, water, or plant life
• reduce the ecological or hydrological integrity of nearby habitats.

Environmental Protection Works

Learn what types of restoration and protection works may only need a DA. Read more about Environmental Protection Works.

To check if your land is mapped as a coastal wetland or littoral rainforest use the NSW ePlanning Spatial Viewer .

To confirm whether your proposal needs approval, contact your local council.