The NSW Government is planning to roll out fresh advice to encourage developers to engage earlier and more deeply with local communities, to support faster assessment times across all state significant development applications.
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Strategic Executive Director Felicity Greenway said the social impact guideline already applies to state significant mining, petroleum production and extractive industry developments. The guideline will be updated and rolled out to all other major projects.
“The draft updated social impact guideline, now on public exhibition, is part of the NSW Government’s planning reform work to boost the NSW economy as we move toward recovery after COVID19,” Ms Greenway said.
“The updated guidelines will further ensure the potential social impacts on communities from State-significant projects are given as much consideration as the environmental and economic impacts.
“These projects, especially major infrastructure works like new roads and public transport, have great benefits to the wider community but can have an impact on local people who live near these sites.
“Underestimating the social impacts of a project can result in cost blow-outs or cause delays, either in the assessment process or in construction.
“We can always improve this process and the guidelines will further ensure communities are considered and involved from the very earliest stage of the process.”
“The Department will hold a series of briefings and webinars with all stakeholders during the exhibition period, to ensure industry proponents and the community can fully understand the draft updates to the guideline.”
