Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 is an Act of the New South Wales Parliament.HistoryIn September 2025, Chris Minns' Labor government signalled their intention to significantly amend the legislation, with the legislation now including the government's existing Housing Delivery Authority and a new Development Coordination Authority.Controversy over part 3AThe Act gained considerable controversy with the introduction of section 3A that effectively allowed the Planning Minister to declare a project as of "State significance" and assume direct approval delegation. Although it was introduced to streamline the planning process and fast track the assessment of large infrastructure projects, a public perception of its misuse was a significant factor in the defeat of the Keneally government.