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A level of consistency in strategic planning approaches will provide for:
- alignment in interpretation of the region and district plans that supports the development of local strategic planning statements
- coordinated inputs by State agencies, particularly where State agency programs cross council and district boundaries – such as investment in major rail corridors, or the need for a new high school
- provide a structure for the ongoing review of the region and district plans that is informed by local inputs.
Local planning is also informed by councils’ community strategic plans. These community focused plans provide the strategic framework for the planning and delivery of services over a 10-year period for each local government area. They set the economic, social and environmental context for each local government area and are part of the broader Integrated and Reporting Framework under the Local Government Act 1993.
Community engagement underpins each community strategic plan and provides detailed local considerations to be addressed in councils’ local environmental plans, delivery programs and operational plans.
State environmental planning policies also form part of the planning framework for Greater Sydney. As noted throughout this Plan, these policies cover specific social, economic and environmental matters that may impact on a local government area. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is currently reviewing State environmental planning policies as part of initiatives to simplify the NSW planning system and reduce complexity. This review process will modernise, simplify and improve the effectiveness and usability of the policies.
Planning proposals are also guided by section 9.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, a suite of Ministerial Directions which require consideration for local plan making that cover issues such as employment, environment and heritage, housing, infrastructure and urban development.
Independent review
Several State agencies have a role in the delivery of housing supply. The Land and Housing Corporation delivers social housing and renewal through a range of programs including Communities Plus. The NSW Government is committed to improving housing affordability by increasing housing supply, including by accelerating rezoning and building infrastructure such as roads, schools and utilities that can enable development. It is important to provide the right conditions for developers to supply enough new housing in the right places.
Where State agencies have a role in delivery of growth through State planning policies and programs the Greater Sydney Commission, as an independent organisation under the Greater Sydney Commission Act 2015, can be called on to provide a peer review role. A peer review role would consider consistency with the region and district plans and responses to community consultation as well as matters such as design quality.
