Proposed changes to assessment of Low Rise Housing and Complying Development
The Department of Planning has on exhibition two discussion papers (14th May 2026- 24th June 2026) relating to complying developments and low rise housing.
(A) Variations to complying development assessment:
The NSW Government is proposing a new complying development variations pathway and changes to complying development standards in the Codes SEPP.
Complying development is designed to fast-track straightforward development. But the system is currently too rigid. It means proposals that may only vary slightly from development standards are going through a full DA process, bogging councils and applicants down in unnecessary paperwork and adding, on average, more than 60 days to the assessment process.
Download the explanation document here.
Visit the Explanations Page here
Visit the page on the Dept of Planning “have you say” page here.
(B) Low-rise housing and targeted assessment
The NSW Government has released a discussion paper proposing significant changes to the assessment of low-rise housing in NSW.
Low rise housing (1 or 2 storeys such as dwelling houses, dual occupancies and multi-dwelling housing) is typically low impact, low risk, and accounts for 50% of all development applications. However, it is often assessed through disproportionately complex and inconsistent planning pathways.
This discussion paper proposes the use of a targeted assessment pathway for low-rise housing. Targeted assessment is a flexible, streamlined pathway for development that is low-impact, low-risk or has undergone detailed assessment at a strategic level. Residual assessment matters can be captured in the detailed controls and specific merit considerations that apply to the development.
Download the explanation document here.
Visit the Explanations page here.
Visit the page on the Dept of Planning “have you say” page here.
