PART 3A

Late in 2005, the NSW Government amended the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 by introducing a new Part 3A to deal with major projects.

The amendments have been widely criticised for a number of reasons but primarily for limiting public participation in the decision-making process and limiting the environmental assessment required for major projects.

For a brief overview of the recent planning reforms, the EDO has assessed the current state of play.
[PDF 92 KB]

The EDO is concerned that these amendments undermine the long-standing environmental protections and public participation provisions that were a hallmark of the NSW planning legislation.

We have therefore made the planning reforms a strategic focus of our work which will incorporate the EDO 's litigation, scientific, policy and education functions.

The links and resources (right) will help you understand the reforms. If you wish to contact the EDO for advice or information concerning a particular Part 3A project, please call our Environmental Law Advice Line.