Introduction Following the Respect@Work report into harassment and discrimination in the workplace, many changes have been made to the harassment and discrimination legal framework at the Federal level, including extending the protections offered under the Age Discrimination Act 2004, Disability…
The Department of Planning and Environment (Department) has announced a number of changes to the operation of Sydney District Panels and Regional Planning Panels (Regional Planning Panels) and Local Planning Panels (LPPs). The changes to the Regional Planning Panels have…
Auditor General’s performance audit powers extended to certain State and local council contractors
24 Nov, 2022
The Government Sector Audit and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (Bill) has been passed by the NSW Parliament and is awaiting assent. Purpose of the Bill The Bill amends the Government Sector Audit Act 1983 and the Local Government Act…
The NSW Government has reformed legislative instruments dealing with building sustainability as part of its Net Zero strategy for greenhouse gas emissions. The amendments will require construction of more cost-effective and lower emission residential, commercial and public buildings. The higher…
Exhibition of the Draft Coastal Design Guide
4 Aug, 2022
On 29 July 2022, the Department of Planning and Environment (‘DPE‘) released the draft NSW Coastal Design Guidelines (‘Draft Guidelines‘) for public consultation. The Draft Guidelines are intended to replace the current NSW Coastal Design Guidelines 2003, and have been…
The Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Act 2022 (Parklands Act) commenced on 1 July 2022. On the same date, the Minister for Cities gazetted the Greater Sydney Parklands Shadow Modelling Study 2022 (Shadow Modelling Study). The Parklands Act, in combination with…
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act 2022) will commence either on 13 October 2023, being 18 months after the date of assent, or on an earlier day or days to be appointed by proclamation, and will repeal the…
Greater Sydney is now the Six Cities Region
20 Apr, 2022
As of 13 April 2022, the Greater Sydney Region, is to be known as the ‘Six Cities Region‘. The Greater Cities Commission Act 2022 (‘Cities Act‘) implements this change. The Cities Act also repeals the Greater Sydney Commission Act 2015…
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (‘EPA‘) has released a draft Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2022 (‘Draft Regulation‘) for public consultation. The Draft Regulation proposes to remake the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2021 (‘2021 Regulation‘), which…
Exhibition of the Design and Place SEPP 2021
22 Dec, 2021
UPDATE: On 6 April 2022, the Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts announced that, following public exhibition, the NSW government will not be introducing the Design and Place State Environmental Planning Policy. The Minister has advised that…
After little more than a week since its introduction, the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill 2021 (‘Bill‘) has passed through the NSW Parliament. The Bill will change the way national parks and other terrestrial protected areas are managed in NSW,…
On 28 October 2021, the NSW Government released several documents as part of the infrastructure contributions reform package for public consultation. These documents include: Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Regulation 2021 (‘Amendment Regulation‘). Environmental Planning and Assessment (Local…