Particle.news
Download on the App Store

NSW Tables Biggest Planning Rewrite in 50 Years to Speed Housing

The Minns government has introduced legislation that centralises approvals to accelerate home building.

Overview

  • The bill would enshrine the three-person Housing Delivery Authority in law to fast-track state‑significant housing projects that can bypass local councils.
  • A new Development Coordination Authority would act as a single front door for agency advice to cut delays created by multiple approvals.
  • Councils would have 10 days to decide small variations to complying development or approvals are deemed granted, with regional planning panels to be abolished.
  • Reforms include a targeted assessment pathway for projects already subject to strategic planning and updated objectives that reference housing delivery and climate resilience.
  • Labor says the package reflects bipartisan work with the Coalition and is seeking passage within weeks, while council bodies welcome streamlining but warn about the HDA’s reach and the need for infrastructure funding.