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) Act 1979, and then steps down to various types of plans (eg State Environmental Planning Policies and Local Environmental Plans), policies (eg Development Control Plans) and guidelines. It is these documents that regulate land use and development.
For an explanation of the planning process in New South Wales please visit the Department of Planning website.
The planning legislation and environmental planning instruments (including Local Environmental Plans) can be amended or updated at any time by the State Government so it is important that you access the most current version by downloading it directly from the NSW Legislation website.
The State Government, through the Planning Reforms program, are currently amending the development application process with the aim of providing greater certainty in the timeframes for the assessment of different types of development applications.
Tamworth Regional Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its planning controls which has resulted in the gazettal of the Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010 and adoption of the Tamworth Regional Development Control Plan 2010.
It is recommended that you make appropriate enquiries to determine the possible impact of these new processes and provisions on your land and any development you may be planning.
For further information relating to the planning process please visit the following websites: