In a landmark decision, NSW Land and Environment Court Chief Justice Preston has rejected an application for an open cut mine in the Gloucester Valley due largely to the impacts the mine would have on climate change and the community. Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL) proposed to mine seams of coal in an “idyllic” valley located…
The State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP) has been amended to fast track development of low rise medium density housing across the state. The Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code (the Code), the Low Rise Medium Density Design Guide (the Design Guide) and the Greenfield Housing Code form part…
The majority of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW) (the Act) commenced on 1 July 2018. The Act significantly reforms the use and management of Crown land in NSW. . The Act consolidates eight pieces of legislation into one Act, repealing the Crown Lands Act 1989, the Crown Lands (Continued Tenures) Act 1989, the Western Lands Act 1901 and certain other legislation.…
This is the next in our series of posts commenting on the recent updates to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the Act). Parts one and two are available on this blog. In this post, we consider the introduction of Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPS) and the implications they will have for the future…
The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) (BCA) commenced on 25 August 2017 and with it commenced a restructure to the assessment of biodiversity impacts under New South Wales planning law. Among the raft of changes is the introduction of biodiversity development assessment reports (BDARs) which replace species impact statements under the now repealed Threatened Species…
The Greater Sydney Commission has released the new Greater Sydney Region Plan, titled A Metropolis of Three Cities. This plan is the first regional plan developed by the Greater Sydney Commission and sets out a 40-year vision (to 2056) and establishes a 20-year plan to manage growth and change for Greater Sydney. Three connected cities…
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has announced it will be holding a public inquiry on Monday 16 April 2018 into the conduct of a number of former Canterbury City Council public officials. ICAC’s investigation – named ‘Operation Dasha’ – is examining whether, between 2013 and 2016, public officers including former Canterbury City councillors,…
