NSW Government has rolled out planning reforms to accelerate delivery of essential infrastructure across the state.
From 12 December 2025, updates to the Transport & Infrastructure SEPP seek to streamline approvals, and protect future infrastructure corridors.
What are some of the key changes?
– Education & Child‑Care: More school, TAFE and university upgrades can proceed without consent, with faster pathways for outdoor amenities, minor works and the like.
– Health: Repairs and minor works are now exempt, and a broader range of facilities can be delivered as complying development.
– Energy & Networks: New pathways for stand‑alone power systems, batteries and rooftop solar, plus more network upgrades are exempt.
– Emergency Services: Additional zones now allow emergency services development without consent.
– Ports: Expanded exempt and complying development provisions for port operations.
– Bradfield City: Formal recognition as a public authority precinct aligned with the Bradfield City Centre Master Plan.
– Future Infrastructure Corridors: New definitions, mapping and TfNSW concurrence requirements, plus clearer rules for interim development and rezoning in Newcastle to support future transit.
Given Patch’s prominence in Newcastle and our supporting role in delivering works under the Bradfield City Centre planning framework, we are supportive of these changes in particular. Clearer protections for future transport corridors in Newcastle and the formal recognition of Bradfield City as a public authority precinct, provide greater certainty for rezoning, infrastructure coordination and long-term place planning in NSW’s key growth areas. This is of particular importance where early planning decisions are critical to safeguarding future transit and city defining infrastructure.
Image source – Planning NSW
