Tweed Heads aerial looking south toward Wollumbin/Mt Warning.
From 1 September 2026, new NSW Government consultation requirements have come into effect for planning and development matters across the State.
The changes are contained in the new Statewide Community Participation Plan, which replaces the planning-specific exhibition and notification requirements previously contained in individual council plans and introduces a consistent framework across NSW.
For Tweed residents, one of the most significant changes is a stronger focus on community input during strategic planning, when decisions are being made about future housing, employment land, environmental protection and infrastructure delivery.
Under the new framework, Draft Local Strategic Planning Statements and regional or district strategic plans must be publicly exhibited for a minimum of 60 days, while Structure Plans, Precinct Plans and Master Plans for urban renewal areas must be exhibited for 42 days. Planning Proposals to amend a Local Environmental Plan and Draft Development Control Plans must be exhibited 28 days.
The Statewide Community Participation Plan also standardises exhibition periods for development applications across NSW. Most local development applications that require public exhibition will now be exhibited for a minimum of 14 days. More complex applications, including designated development, nominated integrated development, threatened species development and council-related development applications, generally require a minimum 28-day public exhibition period.
The reforms also removes mandatory public exhibition requirements for a range of what the State have identified as lower impact development applications where the proposal complies with applicable planning controls and does not seek a variation to key development standards such as building height or floor space ratio.
Examples of development applications that will generally no longer require public notification include:
• Dwelling houses up to 2 storeys
• Secondary dwellings (granny flats)
• Dual occupancies up to 2 storeys
• Attached dwellings up to 5 dwellings
• Swimming pools, sheds, pergolas and carports
• Home businesses and home industries
• Farm buildings and extensive agriculture
• Tree removal on private land
• Demolition applications
• Subdivisions creating up to five lots
• Certain modification applications and temporary structures.
While these applications may not be publicly exhibited, they will continue to be assessed against all relevant planning controls and legislative requirements. Council must still consider matters such as privacy, overshadowing, character, environmental impacts and compliance with development standards before making a determination.
Director Planning and Regulation Denise Galle said the NSW State reforms are intended to focus community consultation on the planning decisions that have the greatest long-term influence on the future of towns and communities.
"Strategic planning decisions shape where future housing, jobs, infrastructure and environmental protection will occur across the Tweed.
"At the same time, the State Government has determined that many lower-impact development applications should no longer require formal public exhibition. These proposals will still be assessed on their merits against all applicable planning controls, but community participation will be concentrated on the strategic planning processes that guide long-term growth and change," Ms Galle said.
The Statewide Community Participation Plan now applies directly to Tweed Shire Council and all other planning authorities across NSW. Planning-related exhibition and notification requirements are determined by the Statewide Plan and no longer vary between councils. Council's Community Engagement and Participation Plan will continue to guide engagement on broader Council functions and community matters outside the planning system.
