Social impacts are the consequences experienced by people due to changes associated with a State significant project. This can include potential impacts such as on the availability and access to education, healthcare, open space, recreation facilities, housing availability and access, safety and security, and the physical and mental health and well-being of the public. The following policies and guidance should be considered in assessment of State significant projects.
Social Impact Assessment Guideline 2021
This guideline requires all State significant projects to have a clear and consistent approach to assessing social impacts. It provides a framework to identify, predict and evaluate likely social impacts and propose responses to them as part of the overall environmental assessment. It is also supported by a Technical Supplement which provides additional guidance for proponents and practitioners using the SIA Guideline. The SIA Guideline 2021 replaces the 2017 guideline that applied to State significant resource projects.
View the Guideline
More information on SIA
Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects
This guideline requires upfront and ongoing engagement for all State significant projects. These guidelines help to ensure engagement is meaningful, tailored to the needs of relevant stakeholders, supports a fair and transparent assessment and is consistent with the Department’s community participation objectives.
Cumulative Impact Assessment Guidelines for State Significant Projects
This guideline provides guidance and advice to ensure cumulative impacts are effectively and consistently considered in State significant projects. This will support better assessment, well-informed and appropriate decision-making, and achieve better outcomes.
Social Impact Assessment for State Significant Resource Projects (2017)
This guideline has been replaced with the 2021 Social Impact Assessment Guideline. This guideline covers the social impacts of State significant resource projects including mining, petroleum production and extractive industry projects.
Crime Prevention and the Assessment of Development Applications
These guidelines will help councils identify crime risk and minimise opportunities for crime through the appropriate assessment of development proposals, drawing on principles from crime prevention through environmental design.
Voluntary Land Acquisition and Mitigation Policy
This policy describes the NSW Government’s policy for voluntary mitigation and land acquisition to address noise and dust impacts from State significant mining, petroleum and extractive industry developments.
Framework for Securing a VPA Between a Mining Proponent of a Major Development and a Local Council
This guideline, prepared by The Mining and Energy Related Councils of NSW and The NSW Minerals Council, provides optional principles and processes that can be used by local councils and mining companies when negotiating planning contributions.