From 1 September 2026, the NSW Government introduced a new Statewide Community Participation Plan (CPP). This changed how Development Applications (DAs) are notified across all councils in NSW.

These changes are set by the State Government and override parts of our Community Engagement Strategy. Council must follow the new requirements. It can no longer use past notification practices if they don’t match the CPP.
 

What has changed?

Under the new requirements:

• Some Development Applications previously notified to neighbouring properties may no longer need notification.

• Many development applications will now have a public notification period of 14 days.
   

Developments that may no longer need neighbour notification

Developments that may not need neighbour notification, if there’s no variation proposed to building height or floor space ratio, include:

• New houses and dual occupancies up to two storeys.

• Secondary dwellings (granny flats).

• Multi dwelling housing developments of up to five dwellings.

• Home additions and alterations up to two storeys.

• Swimming pools.

• Sheds.

• Pergolas.

• Carports.

• Small subdivisions.

• Many change of use applications.

• Demolition works.

• Tree removal on private land.
   

How Development Applications (DAs) will still be assessed

Even where public notification is not required, Council will still review all DAs. They will check them against relevant planning legislation and development controls.

This assessment includes consideration of potential impacts such as:

• Privacy.

• Overshadowing.

• View loss.

• Neighbourhood character and amenity.

• Traffic.

• ​Drainage.

• Noise.

• Heritage.

• Compliance with planning requirements.
   

Can I comment on an application that is not on exhibition?

You can give feedback to Council at any stage. However, if an application is not required to be exhibited, your feedback is not treated as a formal submission under the statewide plan.

Council cannot consider informal feedback in the same way as a formal submission made during a public exhibition period.
 

How can I stay informed?

Council will continue to publish development applications and their progress through Application Tracking. An application may appear in the tracker even if Council is not required to notify neighbours or invite submissions.

• Use Council’s Development Application Tracker to search by address, application number, or lodgement date.

• Check the application status to see whether it is on public exhibition and open for submissions.

• View the NSW Statewide Community Participation Plan for the full list of development types and exhibition periods.
   

More time for major strategic plans

The statewide plan also gives the community more time to comment on some plans that guide future growth and change.

• Draft local strategic planning statements must be exhibited for at least 60 days.

• Draft regional and district plans must be exhibited for at least 60 days.

• Structure plans, precinct plans and masterplans for urban renewal areas must generally be exhibited for at least 42 days.
   

Council's advocacy

Georges River Council urged for a stronger community voice during the public exhibition of the draft policy. They also submitted ideas to the NSW Government, asking for better changes to the proposal.

Read Council's submission:
Georges River Council calls for a stronger community voice in statewide planning reforms.
 

Supporting our community

Council understands these changes may be concerning for some residents. We are committed to helping the community understand the new requirements and how they may affect participation in the planning process.