Griffith residents will see changes to how they can have their say on planning matters from today, 1 September 2026, when a new statewide Community Participation Plan (CPP) comes into effect across NSW.
The NSW Government's new plan will replace more than 100 separate Community Participation Plans across the state, including Griffith City Council's current plan.
The biggest change for residents is that some lower-impact development applications will no longer be required to be publicly exhibited or notified.
These include, but are not limited to, certain dwelling houses and dual occupancies of up to two storeys, secondary dwellings, alterations and additions, subdivisions creating up to five lots and some tree removal applications on private land.
This means residents may not be notified about, or able to make a formal submission on, every development application in their neighbourhood.
Applications that are required to be publicly exhibited or notified will continue to provide opportunities for residents to have their say, as Council will continue to notify adjoining landowners and publish relevant applications on DA Tracker for those applications.
The new statewide CPP also places greater focus on strategic planning matters and major, complex developments, with longer consultation periods for some proposals. Draft district and regional plans and Local Strategic Planning Statements, for example, will have a minimum 60-day exhibition period.
Council can also continue to use local engagement methods, including social media, public notices, on-site signage and community information sessions, where appropriate.
