Whether you are interested in major development projects, housing construction or buying or selling property, this information is designed to guide you through the planning and development process.
What is Development
Development is defined by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 as:
- use of land
- subdivision of land
- erection of a building
- carrying out of a work
- demolition of a building or work
- any other act, matter or thing referred to in section 26 that is controlled by an environmental planning instrument.
The Building and Development Process
The NSW planning process is governed by a hierarchy of legislation and environmental planning instruments. The hierarchy starts with legislation such as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EPA) 1979, and then steps down to various types of plans (e.g. State Environmental Planning Policies and Local Environmental Plans), policies (e.g. Development Control Plans) and guidelines. These documents regulate land use and development.
We have explained the steps involved in the building and development application process to help you understand the sometimes complex procedure.