19/09/2025
Time to read
2 minutes

The NSW Government has introduced the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025, the most significant overhaul of the state’s planning system in nearly five decades.

The reforms are designed to speed up housing approvals, reduce duplication, and simplify the development process, helping the state reach its housing target of 377,000 new homes by 2029.

Key changes in the Bill include:

  • Faster approvals – small variations will need to be decided by councils within 10 days, or they will be deemed approved.

  • Targeted assessment pathway – projects in areas already subject to rezoning and consultation will be assessed only on new issues, avoiding repeat processes.

  • Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) – now legislated, with powers to fast-track major housing projects worth more than $60 million.

  • Development Coordination Authority (DCA) – a new “single front door” to manage agency referrals such as water, environment, and fire services.

  • Simplified pathways – regional planning panels will be abolished, with projects assessed either locally or as state-significant development.

  • Stronger timeframes – small modification requests must be decided in 14 days, while larger ones are deemed refused after 40 days.

Master Builders NSW welcomes the Government’s move to enact much needed reform to the state’s planning system. Incoming Executive Director Matthew Pollock said the changes will finally help shift the system’s focus away from minor issues and towards encouraging sensible new housing investment.

“Housing is unaffordable for too many people. A young family on an average income shouldn’t have to commute for hours to and from work,” Mr Pollock said. “Slashing planning red tape will speed up housing supply. Planning reform is one of the strongest levers that the government can pull and builders will applaud them for doing so. More standardising of conditions across local councils will also reduce complexity and speed up construction.”

The Bill is now before Parliament and is expected to progress in the coming weeks.