Consultation period until Friday 27 February 2026
See HERE

The NSW Government is calling for a “clearer, more coordinated approach to land use planning that delivers homes in the right locations, creates more jobs, invests in infrastructure and protects our environment”.

The NSW Government has released “A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper” for public feedback until 5pm, 27 February 2026.  

The Discussion Paper proposes a “simpler, three-tiered strategic planning framework and introduces seven statewide priorities to guide land use planning across NSW”.

The NSW Government’s proposed new framework aims to:

• reduce duplication across the strategic planning system
• align housing, jobs and infrastructure planning
• support councils with clearer guidance and direction
• make planning priorities and policies easier to navigate and implement.

The discussion paper outlines the role of a new State Land Use Plan, how the new structure will work, and what it means for communities, councils and industry.

The ideas in the discussion paper form part of the NSW Government’s steps toward a more streamlined strategic planning framework. The proposed changes to strategic planning are distinct from, but complementary to the statutory planning reforms enacted through the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025. The statutory planning reforms focus on development assessment pathways and accelerated development delivery.

The NSW Government says it is continuing its effforts “to simplify and improve the planning system in both the short and long term”.

Read the discussion paper

A new generation of regional plans

To set the direction for land use and strategic planning in NSW, the NSW Government is preparing a new set of regional strategic plans.  

The Sydney Plan will be the first of the new regional strategic plans in the proposed framework to be delivered across NSW. It demonstrates how the new statewide approach, outlined in A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper, is applied at a regional scale.  

The draft Sydney Plan is currently on exhibition HERE 

Read the draft Sydney Plan

Industrial lands

The NSW Government is also exhibiting a draft Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands, which outlines how industrial lands will be planned, managed, and categorised in NSW. The Statewide Policy demonstrates how we are making a more equitable and consistent approach to strategic planning for industrial lands across the state. The draft Sydney Plan demonstrates how the policy will be applied through strategic planning.

Read the draft Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands

Watch video overview HERE

Make a submission HERE

A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper is now open for feedback until 5pm, 27 February 2026. You can take a survey, make a formal submission, or both.

Frequently asked questions

A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper – Frequently asked questions

For more information

If you have any questions about A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper, please email nsw-strategic-planning-projects@planning.nsw.gov.au

21 December 2025