NSW planning framework: history of reforms

The first legislative framework for planning in NSW was introduced in 1945 in the form of amendments to the Local Government Act 1919. Dedicated environmental planning legislation was introduced with the enactment of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A Act) in 1979. The EP&A Act has subsequently been amended on numerous occasions. In 2005, the NSW Government commenced an ‘overhaul’ of the NSW planning system which has resulted in major reform over the past five years. This e-brief provides a timeline of significant reforms to the NSW planning framework. References to sections of the EP&A Act are to the legislation as made or amended at the relevant point in time.&nbsp