The way the community will be able to have their say on planning decisions has changed with the introduction of a NSW Statewide Community Participation Plan. As a result, existing council Community Participation Plans and relevant NSW Government agency participation plans no longer apply.
The purpose of the new state-wide Community Participation Plan is to ensure consultation is clear and consistent across NSW and that everyone has an equal say on planning decisions, no matter where they live.
It introduces longer timeframes for the community to have their say on strategic planning proposals that set out where development should occur and where infrastructure is needed, while reducing the number of low-impact development application types required to be exhibited by councils, speeding up assessment and decision making.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen, acknowledged the benefits of a consistent approach to community engagement, but noted that this is different from how Bellingen Shire Council has been operating.
“Under our previous Community Participation Plan, local development applications were placed on public exhibition and adjacent landholders were required to be notified,” said Mark Griffioen.
“While these changes will streamline the development application process and save applicants time and money, the new requirements mean that local development applications such as two-storey dwellings, secondary dwellings, subdivisions under five lots, farm buildings, and additions to dwellings such as pools and carports will not need to be publicly exhibited, nor neighbours informed.”
“However, all development applications will continue to be assessed on their merits, with council continuing to consider all relevant planning matters including privacy impacts, overshadowing, heritage significance, environmental considerations and other applicable planning controls and requirements.”
Local councils will still be able to tailor how they collaborate and consult with their communities, said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
“The new plan makes it clearer and simpler for people to understand when and how they can have their say on planning proposals,” said Minister Scully.
“By creating one clear statewide approach we’re giving everyone in NSW a fairer way to have their say, no matter where they live.”
For further information about the NSW Statewide Community Participation Plan, visit the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure website: