Changes to how the community is notified about development applications
New NSW Government requirements have changed how and when the community is notified about development applications and other planning matters.
The Statewide Community Participation Plan commenced on 1 September 2026 and applies to planning authorities across NSW, including the City of Ryde. The Plan sets mandatory public exhibition periods and identifies certain types of development applications that are not required to be publicly exhibited.
What does this mean for residents?
The main change for the Ryde community is that residents may no longer receive notification about some development applications on neighbouring properties.
Under the new statewide requirements, a range of applications identified as lower-impact development will generally not be publicly exhibited where the proposal does not include a variation to the applicable building height or floor space ratio development standard.
This includes certain applications for:
- new dwelling houses of up to two storeys
- dual occupancies of up to two storeys
- secondary dwellings
- alterations and additions to homes resulting in no more than two storeys
- attached dwellings and multi-dwelling housing involving up to five dwellings
- swimming pools, sheds, pergolas and carports
- demolition
- subdivisions creating no more than five new lots
- tree removal on private land
- certain changes of use
- specified modification applications
This means that if one of these applications is proposed near your property, you may not receive a notification letter or have an opportunity to make a submission.
When will the community still be notified?
Development applications that are required to be publicly exhibited will continue to be published on Council's website.
Most local development applications requiring exhibition must be exhibited for at least 14 calendar days. Longer minimum exhibition periods apply to certain applications and strategic planning matters, including Council-related development, designated development, draft development control plans and draft local strategic planning statements.
An application that would otherwise be excluded from public exhibition will be exhibited if it includes a variation to the applicable building height or floor space ratio development standard. The Statewide Community Participation Plan also allows an application to be exhibited where it is considered likely to generate significant public interest due to its location, nature or scale.
Council's role
These changes have been introduced by the NSW Government and apply to all NSW councils. The City of Ryde must apply the exhibition requirements and timeframes established by the Statewide Community Participation Plan.
Council will continue to determine the appropriate methods for engaging with the community where exhibition is required. This may include notification letters, emails, site notices, information on Council's website, social media and other engagement methods.
Residents can continue to view development applications currently on exhibition through Council's website.
