Concurrence and referrals
Concurrence is when agreement from a referral authority must be obtained before the council can determine a development application. This is underpinned by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Concurrences) 2018 (Concurrence SEPP).
The Planning Secretary now has power to act in place of an approval body under s4.47(4A) of the EP&A Act (a referral) to prevent delays in the assessment of a development application in certain circumstances, as outlined in clause 70AA of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations 2021.
It supports broader reforms that make the development application process more efficient and allows the Secretary to step in to resolve delays. This service is expected to save applicants up to 11 days compared to current assessment times.
We have launched an online concurrence and referral service through the NSW Planning Portal. To access the concurrence and referral service, refer to the steps below:
- Register for, or log into, your NSW Planning Portal account
- Once logged in, select the relevant application from your dashboard.
- View, track or make payments online to state agencies related to your development application from this location.
Register and access the concurrence and referral service
If you need assistance using the online concurrence and referral service, please view our relevant guides or contact ServiceNSW on 1300 305 695 for additional support.
Relevant legislation
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 – Part 4
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021
- State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) 2011
- SEPPs relevant to each project (for example, SEPP 1 – Development Standards; SEPP Coastal Management 2018)
- Local Environmental Plan of council where development is located
- SEPPs which nominate the Minister as the consent authority (for example, Three Ports SEPP, Kosciuszko Alpine Resorts SEPP)
- Development Control Plans relevant to location of development