Planning
Planning

About us

Leading a robust, efficient and evidence-based planning system for NSW.

Our work

As part of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the Planning group works across the state to help the NSW Government make and implement important decisions about our land and how we use it.

We help deliver great places for you to live and work, support industries and promote economic growth through smart planning.

Father and daughter enjoying a walk along the Newcastle Memorial Walk, The Hill. Credit: Destination NSW

Our teams assess large state significant projects, prioritise critical infrastructure, and balance protecting our environment with industry and community needs. We work with local councils to promote people’s health and wellbeing and create vibrant communities.

Discover our agency guide and learn how we promote fair, open and effective government in NSW by visiting Information access, governance and feedback.

About the Department
Low- and mid-rise housing, Wentworth Street, Randwick NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / James Grabowski

How we're shaping NSW

Aerial view looking down at low- and mid-rise housing on Mount Druitt Road and Durham Street, Mount Druitt NSW. Credit: Glenn Hanns/DPE
Aerial view looking down at low- and mid-rise housing on Mount Druitt Road and Durham Street, Mount Druitt NSW.
Credit: Glenn Hanns/DPE
Housing growth

We're delivering more homes through faster approvals and more choice for everyone.

Sydney Park skate park at Alexandria with the Sydney CBD in the background. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Sydney Park skate park at Alexandria with the Sydney CBD in the background.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Government Architect NSW

Creating great places through architecture, urban design and landscape design.

Located in the southern end of Darling Harbour, nestled between Darling Quarter and Darling Square, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a collaborative effort between Sister States of NSW and Guangdong of China.
Located in the southern end of Darling Harbour, nestled between Darling Quarter and Darling Square, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a collaborative effort between Sister States of NSW and Guangdong of China.
Credit: Placemaking NSW
Placemaking NSW

Creating and caring for places that people love. 

Jai Ord and Minjari Ohara in Waterloo Estate in Redfern, Sydney CBD NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Salty Dingo
Jai Ord and Minjari Ohara in Waterloo Estate in Redfern, Sydney CBD NSW.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Salty Dingo
Supporting Aboriginal people in Planning

Recognising culture, Country and community at every stage of planning.

Gosford Station, Gosford, Sydney NSW - Transport Oriented Development. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Joshua Tredinnick
Gosford Station, Gosford, Sydney NSW - Transport Oriented Development.
Credit: Gosford Station, Gosford, Sydney NSW - Transport Oriented Development.
Improving the planning process

We’re modernising planning with smarter tools, clearer responsibilities, and greater transparency to make the system faster, fairer, and more reliable.

Homestead exterior at Fernhill Estate, Mulgoa NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Homestead exterior at Fernhill Estate, Mulgoa NSW.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Office of Strategic Lands

Delivering big-picture programs that create more open public spaces, green corridors, and essential infrastructure.

Cyclists ride past Towradgi Beach Park playground, near Wollongong NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Dee Kramer
Cyclists ride past Towradgi Beach Park playground, near Wollongong NSW.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Dee Kramer
Working with communitites

Creating great places to live, work and play by engaging with communities early.

Growing our green places and public spaces

Family enjoying a picnic by the Edward River, Deniliquin in the state's Riverina Murray Region. Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a picnic by the Edward River, Deniliquin in the state's Riverina Murray Region.
Credit: Destination NSW
Open space

Building healthier, connected communities through parks, trails, waterways and green spaces.

Eucalyptus blue gum trees (Eucalyptus globulus) and Australian tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) in the forest at Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve. Credit: John Spencer/DPE
Eucalyptus blue gum trees (Eucalyptus globulus) and Australian tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) in the forest at Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve.
Credit: John Spencer/DPE
Conservation planning

Explore how conservation planning protects biodiversity from the very start of development. 

Aerial view onto Central Park, Chippendale NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Heath Bennett
Aerial view onto Central Park, Chippendale NSW.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Heath Bennett
Urban greening

Discover how NSW is growing green infrastructure like trees, canopies and green spaces to cool cities, improve air quality and enhance liveability.

People snowboard and ski at Perisher Ski Resort, NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Jaime Plaza Van Roon
People snowboard and ski at Perisher Ski Resort, NSW.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Jaime Plaza Van Roon
Alpine resorts

Learn about policies that protect nature while supporting tourism and safety in the Kosciuszko Alpine Region.

Careers in planning

Help share the future of NSW. Explore opportunities and learn more about working with us.

Explore your future in planning   
A female building certifier inspects scaffolding with her colleagues on a building site. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Christopher Walters
A female building certifier inspects scaffolding with her colleagues on a building site.
Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Christopher Walters

Contact and support

Contact us

Find contact details for planning teams and services or get in touch with us for general enquiries.

Support hub

Explore helpful articles, guides, and technical support for the NSW Planning Portal and related tools.