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Our purpose-driven planning transforms visions into actionable pathways.
Industry Updates
Planning knowledge, industry updates, and expert perspectives.
Stay informed with our curated articles and insights covering all aspects of development approvals, town planning, and social impact assessment. At Meliora Projects, we share practical guidance, project highlights, regulatory updates, and thought leadership to help clients, collaborators, and communities navigate the planning system with confidence.
Important Update for Developers in the Hunter Region
Hunter Water has announced that from 1 July 2025, developer charges will increase from 25% to 50% as part of
RECENT INDUSTRY UPDATES
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will be making minor changes to the NSW Planning Portal development application form.
Planning for Bushfire Protection Addendum 2025: What You Need to Know
This week, the 2025 Addendum to Planning for Bush Fire Protection (PBP) has officially taken legislative effect in New South
Articles
Articles packed with planning insights and expert views.
At Meliora Projects, our articles offer practical advice, project features, regulatory news, and professional insights. We help clients, collaborators, and communities understand development approvals, town planning, and social impact assessments with clarity and confidence.
Rezoning Applications – What to Expect
Rezoning applications are an essential part of the urban development process. Knowing what to expect during the process can
What Does a Town Planner Do?
A town planner—also known as an urban planner or statutory planner—plays a critical role in shaping how land is used
What council areas will require social impact assessments?
In New South Wales (NSW), the requirement for a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) depends on the scale, nature, and potential impacts of a proposed development, rather than being uniformly mandated by specific local councils.
Why a Feasibility Assessment is an Essential Part of the Development Approval Process
Understanding the value of early-stage planning analysis in achieving successful development outcomes
When it comes to town planning and securing development approval, one of the most critical—but often underestimated—steps in the process is the feasibility assessment.
Accelerating Housing Development in New South Wales: The Role of the Housing Delivery Authority
In response to the growing housing demand across New South Wales (NSW), the state government has established the Housing Delivery
- Resources
Glossary
Demystifying town planning, development approval, and social impact terminology.
Planning processes often involve technical language and regulatory references that can be difficult to navigate. Our glossary is designed to provide clear, straightforward definitions of commonly used terms in development approval, town planning, and social impact assessment.
Development Application (DA)
A formal request for consent to carry out a development, submitted to the local Council or relevant consent authority.
Development Approval
The official consent granted by a planning authority to proceed with a proposed development, subject to conditions.
Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE or SoEE)
A report submitted with a DA explaining the environmental and planning impacts of the proposal and how they are managed.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A comprehensive document required for designated or high-impact developments that assesses environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Planning Proposal
A request to change local planning controls (usually an LEP) to allow a specific form of development.
Local Environmental Plan (LEP)
A statutory document that guides land use and development within a local government area, setting out zoning and development standards.
Development Control Plan (DCP)
A non-statutory plan that supports the LEP by providing detailed planning and design guidelines.
Section 4.55 Modification
A request to amend an existing development consent, submitted under Section 4.55 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW).
Section 8.2 Review
An internal review by a consent authority of its previous decision on a DA, allowing the applicant to seek reconsideration.
Clause 4.6 Variation
A request to vary development standards in an LEP, typically where strict compliance is unreasonable or unnecessary.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
An evidence-based analysis evaluating the potential social impacts of a development on individuals, groups, and communities.
Baseline Social Profile
A snapshot of the existing social and demographic characteristics of a community, forming the foundation of an SIA.
Exempt Development
Minor developments that do not require approval or a DA, provided they meet specified criteria under State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs).
Complying Development (CDC)
A fast-tracked approval process for straightforward developments that meet pre-set criteria in planning legislation.
Gateway Determination
A decision made by the Department of Planning allowing a Planning Proposal to proceed to public exhibition and further assessment.
SEARs (Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements)
A list of environmental and technical issues that must be addressed in an EIS for State Significant Development or Infrastructure.
Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
A document used by public authorities to assess environmental impacts under Part 5 of the EP&A Act (where an EIS is not required).
Operational Plan of Management (OPM)
A document detailing how a site or development will be managed to ensure ongoing compliance with conditions of consent.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
A planning and design approach aimed at reducing crime and increasing community safety through the built environment.
GIPA (Government Information Public Access) Request
A formal request for access to government-held information, often used to obtain historical Council records.
Building Information Certificate (BIC)
A certificate issued by Council confirming that an existing building is lawful or can remain as built—often used to regularise unauthorised works.
Complying Development Certificate (CDC)
A fast-track approval for straightforward development that meets specific planning and building controls, combining planning and construction approval into one.
Preliminary Planning Review
An early-stage review assessing a site’s planning constraints and opportunities before lodging a formal development application.
State Significant Development (SSD)
Major developments considered to have state-level importance due to their size, nature, or impact—assessed under Part 4 of the EP&A Act and subject to SEARs.
