The NSW Government has proposed changes to the community participation process as part of landmark reforms to make the planning system faster and more outcomes focused. The Paddington Society believes the proposed changes represent a huge erosion of residents’ property rights. They will further damage community confidence and trust in local Councils and the planning and development system.
What are the proposed changes?
Proposed changes in the Draft Proposed Statewide Community Participation Plan include introducing a range of local development types that will be exempt from notification and public exhibition, as long as they meet controls. A development that purportedly meets controls may still have a big impact on neighbours. This means that the public (including neighbours) will not know that these developments are proposed, and they will not be able to lodge objections or comments with Council (unless they have a digital DA alert installed which may not be available for all residents).
Additionally, the requirement for private certifiers to give notice before issuing a Complying Development Certificate (typically around 14 days) will be scrapped. Only a 7-day pre-commencement of work notification for new buildings, additions and demolition will be required.
The list of development types that will be exempt from public exhibition is long and very concerning. It includes but is not limited to:
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling
- Demolition (unless a Heritage Item)
- New single and two storey dwellings, dual occupancies and attached dwellings
- Residential flat buildings
- Shop top housing
- Alterations and additions to schools
- Tree removal where they are not heritage items
- Changing intended use of commercial and industrial development
- Excavations
- Swimming Pools
Only “higher impact developments”, will retain the current minimum 28-day public exhibition timeframe.
The draft statewide Community Participation Plan and a Discussion Paper are currently available for public feedback on the NSW Planning Portal until 5pm on Wednesday 3rd June. We urge you to learn more and Make a submission. A short submission can be added in the comments box on the Planning Portal.
On June 10 Alex Greenwich submitted a proposal to request changes to the draft statewide community consultation plan (CPP) to ensure the community can continue to have a say on the future of their built environment and to deliver better planning and development outcomes.
Enquiries can be directed to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure project team at CPP@dphi.nsw.gov.au.
Please also view and Have Your Say on the Department’s other plans and policies.
For more information, please visit Woollahra Municipal Council’s Website. See also The construction projects your neighbours will no longer have to tell you about, by Max Maddison, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 May 2026.
A submission prepared by The Paddington Society can be viewed here.
