Statutory rules for local planning panels

The Minister for Planning has the power to direct which development applications (DAs) local planning panels (LPPs) determine and which planning proposals must be referred to an LPP for advice.

The government recognises that not all councils have the same population size or demand for development, so the referral criteria for DAs have 3 thresholds:

• Group A (Schedule 1) – most councils
• Group B (Schedule 2) – councils that determine more than 1,800 DAs and have a population over 200,000
• Group C (Schedule 3) – the City of Sydney.

Relevant documents

• Local Planning Panels Direction – Development Applications and Applications to Modify Development Consents (PDF, 177 KB)
• Referral criteria LPP Direction – Planning proposals (PDF, 410 KB)

All other DAs are determined by council staff or the Sydney or regional planning panel.

A code of conduct governs the behaviour and standards of panel members. It is a key tool for preventing corruption in the determination of DAs.

• LPP Code of Conduct – August 2020 (PDF, 226 KB)

The minister has directed that new members must agree to abide by the code of conduct.

• LPP Direction – Appointment of new members (PDF, 334 KB)
• LPP Direction – Interim appointment of members – January 2024 (PDF, 240 KB)

The operational procedures help ensure that LPPs meet their obligations efficiently and effectively.

• LPP Direction – Operational procedures (PDF, 715 KB)

The minister has set the pay for panel members.

• Remuneration Determination — Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (PDF, 64 KB)

The minister has directed that the names of LPPs must follow a convention.

• LPP Direction – Naming LPPs (PDF, 64 KB)