An independent review has identified no issues with the integrity of the Housing Delivery Authority's (HDA) statutory decision-making processes.
The review, by eminent former public servant Peter Duncan AM, was commissioned at my request after the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure identified use of unauthorised software in collating information into reports for the HDA.
The Duncan Review found the likelihood of risk or integrity errors from the use of the software was low, concluding:
It is not apparent that the Software used has been more effective than other authorised software available for use within the Department or available elsewhere in the NSW Government. In fact, external Cyber Security specialist advisors reviewed and identified that the software was used as an administrative assistance tool. It appears to have been used to input information from the EOI application and various other inputs from Departmental or public database(s) into a template. This template was included in the Reports provided to HDA members prior to a HDA meeting. The Reports also included a range of other information drafted by planning professionals in the Department.
The Duncan Review makes four recommendations which I have accepted in full, including to:
- Reinforce the NSW Government and Department's policies on the use of artificial intelligence within the HDA and Department.
- Consider using authorised software to support the work of the HDA.
- Review all unsuccessful EOI reports prepared with support from the software to confirm there are no errors.
- Undertake a previously planned review of the HDA's first 12 months of operations with a view to making continuous improvement.
The independent review shows the integrity of the HDA and its statutory decision-making processes has not been compromised. All necessary steps will be taken to support the continued function of the HDA.
The NSW Parliament passed legislation in November that provides the HDA with an enduring role in supporting the delivery of housing in NSW. The permanent establishment of the HDA was part of the first proclamation of the Planning System Reforms Act on 15 December 2025.
The detailed recommendations and full report can be downloaded here (PDF 641.19KB).
