If you are preparing a development application, planning proposal or other community-sensitive project in Wollondilly, it is important to understand Council’s Social and Health Impact Assessment framework. In Wollondilly, this process is referred to as SHIA, and depending on the proposal, it may require either a Social and Health Impact Comment (SHIC) or a Comprehensive Social and Health Impact Report (CSHIR).
Unlike many councils where social impact issues are addressed more loosely, Wollondilly has a formal policy and guideline framework. That means applicants need to consider social and health impacts early, not as an afterthought.
What is Social and Health Impact Assessment in Wollondilly?
Wollondilly Shire Council defines Social and Health Impact Assessment as a process used to identify, anticipate, understand and manage the social and health outcomes of a proposed development, policy or plan that may affect the health and wellbeing of the Wollondilly community. The purpose is to maximise positive impacts and minimise unplanned adverse outcomes for local people and communities.
Council’s framework is based on a broad understanding of health and wellbeing. It goes beyond medical issues and includes matters such as income, education, access to transport, housing, social connectedness, safety, access to services, inclusion and community wellbeing.
Why Wollondilly SIA requirements matter
Council’s policy makes it clear that social and health impacts should be considered alongside environmental and economic impacts in planning and policy decision-making. It also states that proposals requiring environmental or economic impact assessment also require social and health impact assessment.
For project teams, this matters because a proposal may be acceptable from a built form or zoning perspective but still require a clear and defensible SHIC or CSHIR. If this is not scoped properly at the beginning, the project can lose time through RFIs, redesign or additional reporting requirements.
The two levels of assessment – SHIC and CSHIR
Social and Health Impact Comment (SHIC)
A SHIC is the Level 1 assessment under Wollondilly’s Guidelines. It is generally required where the proposal is expected to have a minor to neutral level of impact. It requires completion of Council’s SHIC form and enough supporting information to identify impacts, assess significance, describe the nature of the impact, and outline enhancement or mitigation measures.
Comprehensive Social and Health Impact Report (CSHIR)
A CSHIR is the more detailed assessment required where the impact of a proposal is considered to be moderate or greater. This may be triggered by the development type itself, or because the need for more detailed assessment is identified through the Social and Health Impact Matrix, the SHIC Assessment Form, or Council’s assessment process. A CSHIR requires detailed analysis, methodology and research, and must be prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced professional
What developments trigger Wollondilly SHIA requirements?
Wollondilly’s Guidelines identify a range of development types and planning matters that may trigger SHIA requirements. These include residential, commercial, community, rural and strategic planning matters. Examples include:
- residential flat buildings of 10 units or more
- residential flat buildings, multi dwelling housing and mixed-use residential development of 30 or more dwellings
- residential subdivision between 20 and 99 lots
- residential subdivision of 100 or more lots
- affordable housing
- housing for seniors or people with a disability
- caravan parks
- intensive plant agriculture on land less than 4 hectares
- intensive livestock agriculture
- entertainment facilities
- amusement centres
- function centres with capacity of 100 persons or more
- retail premises of five or more shops
- large packaged liquor premises
- hotels, pubs, taverns, registered clubs and nightclubs involving certain new or expanded uses
- takeaway food and drink premises in relevant circumstances
- extension of trading hours for licensed premises
- new gaming outlets
- restricted premises, sex services premises and gun shops
- 24-hour trading near residential areas
- new child care centres of 20 places or more
- places of public worship with capacity of 100 persons or more
- educational establishments
- animal boarding and training establishments in certain circumstances
- Council-owned community facilities
- health consulting rooms
- hospitals
- medical centres and community health services
- methadone clinics, safe injecting rooms and needle and syringe programs
- drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation accommodation
- cemeteries
- designated development
- proposals to reclassify community land
- planning proposals, strategic land use plans, master plans and certain LEP changes.
This is why Wollondilly SIA requirements matter across a wide range of projects, not just major or unusual developments.
What impacts need to be addressed?
Wollondilly’s policy takes a broad view of social and health impacts. It includes changes to how people live, work, move and interact, and may extend to impacts on housing, transport, infrastructure, services, culture, community character, social cohesion, safety, amenity, participation and health and wellbeing.
In practice, this means that a proper SHIC or CSHIR should be tailored to the project and the surrounding context.
What does Wollondilly expect from applicants?
For a SHIC, this means addressing all relevant impact categories in the assessment form and describing mitigation or enhancement measures where required. For a CSHIR, the report must go further and include a more detailed assessment methodology, research base, and where relevant, communication and consultation with affected communities and stakeholders. It should also address direct and indirect impacts, temporary and permanent impacts, cumulative impacts and the significance of those impacts.
Council’s Guidelines make it clear that it is not enough to simply state that a proposal will have no impact. Applicants must provide sufficient information to identify and explain potential impacts, assess their significance and justify the conclusions reached.
Is consultation required for Wollondilly SHIA?
Council’s Guidelines state that community engagement must be meaningful and occur at a reasonable time before the development application is submitted. Affected communities should have an opportunity to help identify impacts and inform enhancement or mitigation measures, and engagement should be consistent with the Wollondilly Community Participation Plan.
Why early advice is important
Council strongly recommends pre-lodgement discussion about the proposed approach to SHIC or CSHIR. This is particularly important where there is uncertainty about whether a proposal will remain at Level 1 SHIC or move into a more detailed, comprehensive report.
Early advice can help to:
- confirm whether SHIA is triggered
- identify the likely level of assessment required
- clarify the key impact areas Council is likely to focus on
- avoid delays caused by incomplete scoping or inadequate supporting material
How Meliora Projects can assist
Meliora Projects assists with strategic planning, social impact assessment and engagement advice across NSW, including Wollondilly Shire. We can help identify whether SHIA is triggered for your project, advise whether a SHIC is likely to be sufficient, prepare SHIC and CSHIR material, and support broader community and stakeholder engagement where needed.
Whether your project is residential, commercial, social infrastructure, strategic or community-sensitive, early advice can make the assessment pathway clearer and more efficient.
Does Wollondilly Shire Council require a Social Impact Assessment?
Wollondilly requires Social and Health Impact Assessment (SHIA) for certain development applications, planning proposals and other policy or planning changes identified in its policy and guidelines. Depending on the proposal, this may require either a SHIC or a CSHIR.
What types of development trigger SHIA in Wollondilly?
A wide range of development types may trigger SHIA, including certain residential developments, subdivisions, retail and commercial uses, educational and health uses, child care centres, places of public worship, designated development, community facilities and some planning proposals and strategic planning changes.
Can Council require a CSHIR even if a SHIC has been prepared first?
Yes. Council’s Guidelines state that a CSHIR may be required as a result of the SHIC findings or as identified by a Manager within Council
Is consultation required as part of Wollondilly SHIA?
Council’s Guidelines state that community engagement must be meaningful, occur before lodgement, and align with the Wollondilly Community Participation Plan. The level of consultation should be proportionate to the proposal and likely impacts.
What should mitigation measures look like in a SHIC or CSHIR?
Mitigation measures should be tangible, deliverable, likely to be durably effective, and directly related to the impact being addressed.
Should SHIA requirements be discussed with Council before lodgement?
Yes. Wollondilly strongly recommends discussing the proposed SHIC or CSHIR approach at pre-lodgement stage
Can planning proposals trigger SHIA in Wollondilly?
Yes. The Guidelines identify planning proposals, strategic land use plans, master plans and certain LEP changes as matters that may require SHIA.
