As NSW grows, we need 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.
A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper has been released for public feedback until 5pm, 27 February 2026. It proposes a simpler, three-tiered strategic planning framework and introduces 7 statewide priorities to guide land use planning across NSW.
The 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.
Together, these changes support the NSW Government’s efforts to simplify and improve the planning system in both the short and long term.
A new generation of regional plans
To set the direction for land use and strategic planning in NSW, we are 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.
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 the overview
To help you understand the proposed strategic planning reforms, we’ve prepared a video overview.
Watch the webinar
This webinar takes a closer look at the plans and policies currently on exhibition and provides answers to some frequently asked questions.
Documents on exhibition
Exhibition documents
Exhibition documents
Have your say
A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper is now open for feedback until 5pm, 27 February 2026. You can take our survey, make a formal submission, or both.
Take our survey
Take our survey to share your thoughts on the proposed changes, including housing, infrastructure, and environmental priorities. Your feedback will help guide a clearer, more coordinated strategic planning system for NSW.
Make a formal submission
We invite further detailed input via our submissions form. Your insights are essential to refining the proposed framework and ensuring it meets the needs of communities across NSW.
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 [email protected]