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Reviews and appeals

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

If an applicant for a development application is not satisfied with a determination (such as refusal or the imposition of a condition), the applicant can request a review of the decision.

This is known as a Division 8.2 Review (or an ‘internal review’) under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). These reviews are an important part of the planning system. However, they are not available for all categories of development.

Integrated development

Under the EP&A Act, applicants can request an internal review of a decision about integrated development, if the relevant agencies are involved in the review. Integrated development applications are those that require a permit or licence from a NSW Government agency as well as development consent from the department.

State significant development

Applicants can also seek a review on decisions about state significant development. However, these reviews are restricted to decisions determined by departmental staff below the level of the secretary under delegation. This review will not be available for decisions by the minister, secretary or Independent Planning Commission. The courts would review these decisions.

Refer to State significant development for more information about appeals for such development.