Ensuring planning assessments remain transparent, accountable, and environmentally responsible will continue to be a key focus of Mosman's advocacy on state-led planning changes, following the passage of the Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 through the NSW Parliament.
It follows Mosman Council's ongoing advocacy in relation to the Bill, which marks the most significant overhaul in a generation of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and other components of the State Government's broader planning reforms.
Mayor Ann Marie Kimber said the Planning Minister had indicated that there will be broad consultation around the implementation of the latest reforms.
"We welcome the opportunity to engage directly on the reforms, having been disappointed that there was no detailed community consultation prior to the legislation being enacted. Well-designed density can contribute to the liveability and well-being of communities," she said.
"But this needs to be led by the community and meaningful engagement is critical as part of this process."
This follows a unanimous resolution from Council's 4 November meeting, noting Mosman's concern that the Bill reduces local planning control and transparency, increases the risk of corruption in planning processes, and will decrease community input and confidence in planning decisions.
"We've already expressed our concerns to government ministers, our local parliamentarians and peak bodies that these changes weaken environmental and heritage protections," Mayor Kimber said.
"While the legislation has now passed, we'll continue to advocate for genuine community consultation and local government decision making, and planning assessments that are transparent, accountable, and environmentally responsible.
"Only with such a collaborative and united approach can we meaningfully address the housing crisis in a manner that does not erode what we value about our local areas and the trust our communities have in the planning system," she said.
Mosman, alongside other councils, will continue to raise the critical need for timely State Government investment in infrastructure to accommodate housing growth.
Planning System Reforms Bill 2025
Key reforms include:
- Establishing the Development Coordination Authority - a single front door for advice on major projects across NSW government agencies.
- Enshrining the Housing Delivery Authority in legislation to make sure there is an enduring, state-wide focus on housing delivery.
- Expanding Complying Development pathways to enable faster approvals for low-impact development.
- Introducing a new Targeted Assessment Pathway for developments already subject to strategic planning and community consultation.
- Amending the EP&A Act's objects to include housing delivery, climate resilience and proportionality for the first time.
- Replacing more than 100 consultation plans with a single, state-wide Community Participation Plan.
- Removing unnecessary duplication, including regional planning panels and outdated assessment pathways.
Source: NSW Government
