Changes to the public sector to provide laser focus on housing and energy challenges

NSW Premier Chris Minns has today announced that the Department of Planning and Environment will become two new departments to better deliver on the Government’s priorities of addressing the energy challenges, climate change, the environment and housing.

The NSW Government is committed to keeping the lights on for NSW households, leading the essential transition to clean renewable energy, setting up the Energy Security Corporation, securing the future of our natural environment, as well as addressing the cost of living by ensuring housing is more affordable.

From 1 January 2024, the Department of Planning and Environment will be split into two new dedicated entities, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

The new departments will be joined by the Office of Energy and Climate Change which is currently in Treasury.

There will be no changes to Ministerial portfolios. The changes have been made following a detailed review and analysis of services and programs.

The Public Sector Review is ongoing and any further machinery of government changes will take place post the budget.

The 2023-24 Budget and Appropriations Bill will be presented on 19 September on the basis of current administrative arrangements.

All changes to machinery of government covered in today’s announcement, due to take effect from 1 January, will be reflected in full in the 2024-25 Budget.

Quotes attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“Our government will always keep people at the heart of our decisions, and it’s clear that we need to align our agencies with the most important issues facing our communities.

“That’s precisely what this change is designed to achieve.”

“The new Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water pulls together the collective environmental expertise of government into one place – creating a team ready to tackle one of our biggest challenges in energy security.

“The changes announced today will also provide a renewed focus and deep expertise to address the housing crisis.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Environment Penny Sharpe:

“We went to the election with a commitment to taking serious action on Climate Change and addressing the decline in biodiversity.

“This new department brings these key tasks together and will allow the Minns Government to deliver on our election commitments and focus on the future of NSW.

“This future secures clean energy, drives economic growth for households and businesses and protects our air, our water, our soil and our plants and animals.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“It’s my job to make sure there is enough housing for people in NSW.

“We inherited a housing crisis more than a decade in the making and know how challenging the housing situation is for everyone.

“We’ve already established new planning rules which encourage the construction of more homes.

“We’ve reformed infrastructure contributions to get roads, schools, health services and open spaces delivered faster in areas of high housing growth.

“These changes combined with departmental changes, will hone our housing delivery focus.

“I look forward to the new approach and fresh ideas that will be generated by bringing together the best minds and expertise in the public sector.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Water Rose Jackson:

“Our government is focused on bringing solutions to the table that are thorough and informed.

“We want to create a government for the future not just right now. Part of that work means pulling together the right teams.

“As the Minister for Water, this new department not only makes sense but is absolutely crucial to ensure NSW is ready for the future.
“We know that climate change, pollution and land management are some of the biggest risks to water quality and security.”