The reforms aim to incorporate climate resilience into planning decisions and simplify assessment processes for minor projects, supporting sustainable growth.

The NSW Labor government is undertaking the most comprehensive overhaul of the state's planning laws in nearly 50 years, aiming to improve housing and infrastructure delivery by updating the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act of 1979 to address Sydney's population growth from 3.2 million to 5.6 million.

Premier Chris Minns announced that these reforms are designed to reduce delays, streamline decision-making, and increase housing supply to meet the federal target of 377,000 new homes by 2029.

The reforms include establishing a Development Coordination Authority and a Housing Delivery Authority to provide a unified point of contact for approvals, bypass local councils for major projects, and accelerate development processes.

A new Housing Delivery Authority will be legislated to fast-track major residential projects exceeding $60 million, with the authority already assessing 240 projects involving 80,000 dwellings as 'state significant developments'.

Local councils will have just 10 days to approve minor variations on complying development applications, reducing bureaucratic delays and costs for homeowners and renovators.

The reforms introduce a 'targeted assessment pathway' to simplify development approvals where strategic planning and community consultation have already occurred, reducing duplication and delays.

Changes will be made to standards, requirements, and appeal processes to encourage resolving disputes outside the Land and Environment Court, further streamlining the system.

The reforms seek to eliminate regional planning panels to avoid unnecessary duplication and create a unified, statewide planning approach.

Premier Minns emphasized bipartisan support for the reforms, with planning ministers from different parties collaborating since January to modernize the system.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey highlighted that these reforms could transform NSW from having the worst planning system in Australia to the best, attracting investment and helping to address housing affordability and population growth.

Premier Minns stressed that these reforms are crucial for making housing more accessible, supporting a modern, progressive city, especially with an upcoming election and ongoing housing and cost-of-living challenges.