Georges River Council is working to educate residents about significant changes to development application notification and community participation requirements following the introduction of the NSW Government’s new Statewide Community Participation Plan (CPP).
The new framework was introduced by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. It came into effect on 1 September 2026. It replaces individual council community participation plans across NSW with a single statewide approach to planning consultation.
The changes mean some development applications previously notified to neighbouring properties will no longer require notification under State Government rules.
Mayor, Elise Borg said Council wanted residents to understand what the changes mean and how they may affect their ability to participate in the planning process.
“Georges River Council has a long history of supporting meaningful community engagement and ensuring residents have opportunities to have their say on planning matters that affect their neighbourhoods,” Mayor Borg said.
“While Council must now apply the State Government’s new Community Participation Plan, we recognise these changes are significant for our community and will affect how residents become aware of some development applications.”
Under the new Statewide CPP, a range of common residential development types are now exempt from neighbour notification, provided they do not seek variations to building height or floor space ratio controls.
These include:
- Dwelling houses up to two storeys
- Dual occupancies up to two storeys
- Granny flats
- Multi-dwelling housing developments containing up to five dwellings
- Residential additions and alterations up to two storeys
- Swimming pools, sheds, pergolas and carports
- Small subdivisions creating up to five lots
- Most change-of-use applications
- Demolition works
- Tree removal on private land
Where applications meet the State Government’s exemption criteria, Council is no longer permitted to undertake neighbour notification or receive submissions from surrounding residents.
Mayor Borg said it was important for the community to understand that exempt applications would still be subject to a rigorous assessment process.
“Even where neighbour notification is no longer required, every development application must still be assessed against the relevant planning legislation and controls,” she said.
“Council will continue to carefully consider matters such as privacy, overshadowing, view impacts, amenity, environmental considerations and compliance with planning requirements before determining an application.”
The Statewide CPP has also reduced the standard notification period for many development applications that still require community consultation from Council’s previous timeframes to a minimum of 14 days.
At the same time, the new framework increases exhibition periods for some strategic planning projects, including draft district and regional plans, Local Strategic Planning Statements and master plans, providing additional opportunities for community input into long-term planning matters.
Mayor Borg said Council had strongly advocated for maintaining a strong community voice throughout the development of the new policy.
“Council made detailed submissions to the State Government during the consultation process, advocating for stronger opportunities for community participation and transparency in planning decisions.”
“While these statewide changes are now in effect, Council remains committed to keeping our community informed and helping residents understand how the new system works,” she said.
Learn more at Council’s Changes to Development Application Notification Requirements webpage.
