From 1 September 2026, all planning authorities, including councils and NSW Government agencies with key planning approval functions, must use the statewide Community Participation Plan as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The statewide Community Participation Plan replaces the more than 100 unique community participation plans that were used across NSW.
The plan standardises consultation and public exhibition timeframes for planning functions across NSW and focuses consultation earlier and where it can have the greatest impact.
While the Community Participation Plan outlines exhibition timeframes and principles, councils still retain control over how best to engage their local communities on planning matters through their engagement strategies.
