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Our priorities in New South Wales

Sustainable growth in the right locations

The right balance between jobs and the environment through comprehensive assessment of major economic developments and infrastructure projects
Adequate land reserved and available for industry, commerce and services
Renewal and revitalisation in strategic locations like the Greater Homebush precinct, South Sydney and the Newcastle waterfront

Reforms that ensure the planning system stays responsive and relevant. The plans of the future will be more comprehensive and fewer in number
Effective and credible development assessment process
More community involvement in the way that plans are developed, implemented and reviewed. Local communities will be able to determine their own futures within regional plans which set out broad principles
Better public access to information about planning. Our web site will play an important role in this

Protection for the New South Wales coastline from inappropriate development through the NSW Government's Coastal Policy, State Environmental Planning Policy No. 71 - Coastal Protection, the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment and the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme. Coastal wetlands, littoral rainforests and areas with acid-sulfate soils also need special attention if development is being considered.
Protection for other areas of high environmental value. For example, our drinking water catchment plan will protect the drinking water for Sydney and nearby regional centres

An adequate supply of housing - in areas where people want to live and with good access to services
Choice in housing - we plan for the needs of our changing population. Households are getting smaller, people live longer
Affordable housing - through protection of existing low-cost rental housing, demonstration projects and inclusion of affordable housing in major renewal developments
Good quality urban design - design quality for residential flat buildings is an specific priority. As well we provide guidelines which help councils and developers achieve well-designed neighbourhoods and attractive, usable public spaces
Livable neighbourhoods - our area improvement programs revitalise town centres and transport interchanges, fund improvements to parks and public open space, regenerate bushland, and green the urban environment

Comprehensive regional planning strategies driven by active partnerships between state and local government, communities and business
Plans for renewal areas and new-release areas that ensure integrated delivery of infrastructure and public services such as roads, schools, water and sewerage systems, power and gas, hospitals, police and other government activities
Coordination between transport improvements and new development. Accessible public transport will feature strongly in the communities of the future. We aim for the right businesses and services in the right locations