Department of Planning and Environment

File:NSW DPIE logo.svg

The main planning department/authority in New South Wales had various names throughout its history. Starting with the State Planning Authority, which replaced the Cumberland County Council and the Northumberland County Council in December 1963, previous planning departments were:

• State Planning Authority (1963–1974){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1000546|title=AGY-424 State Planning Authority|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• New South Wales Planning and Environment Commission (1974–1980){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1000547|title=AGY-425 New South Wales Planning and Environment Commission|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• Department of Environment and Planning (1980–1988){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1000548|title=AGY-427 Department of Environment and Planning (1980–1988) Department of Planning [I] (1988–1995)|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• Department of Planning (1988–1995)
• Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (1995–2001){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1003271|title=AGY-3809 Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (1995–2001) Department of Planning [II](2001–2003)|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• Department of Planning (2001 – April 2003)
• Department of Urban and Transport Planning (April – July 2003){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1002987|title=AGY-3525 Department of Urban and Transport Planning|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (July 2003 – 2005){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1003275|title=AGY-3813 Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• Department of Planning (2005–2011)
• Department of Planning and Infrastructure (2011–2014){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1004183|title=AGY-4721 Department of Planning [III] (2005–2011) Department of Planning and Infrastructure (2011–2014) Department of Planning and Environment (2014–2019)|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=19 March 2020}}
• Department of Planning and Environment (2014–2019)

The planning department adopted the "Department of Planning and Environment" name in April 2014 after Mike Baird became Premier of New South Wales. In 2015–16 the department approved major projects worth {{AUD}}20 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/About-Us/~/media/C50C3EB496794E14876F74D9906E963E.ashx|title=Annual Report 2015-16 {{!}}work=Department of Planning and Environment {{!}}|publisher=Government of New South Wales|access-date=27 April 2019}}

Between 2014 and 2019, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) also existed within the Department of Planning and Environment. Previous environment authority/office/departments in New South Wales were:

• Environment Protection Authority (1992–2003){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1001258|title=AGY-1146 Environment Protection Authority|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=6 April 2020}}
• Department of Environment and Conservation (2003–2007){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1003277|title=AGY-3815 Department of Environment and Conservation (2003–2007) Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007–2009) Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (2009–2011)|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=6 April 2020}}
• Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007–2009)
• Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (2009–2011)
• Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) (2011–2019){{cite web|url=https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&docid=ORGANISATIONS1005901|title=AGY-6439 Office of Environment and Heritage|website=NSW State Archives & Records|access-date=6 April 2020}}
• under the Department of Premier and Cabinet (2011–2014)
• under the Department of Planning and Environment (2014–2019)

The establishment of a new planning department was announced in April 2019 following the 2019 state election. The new department would be formed from the merger of the Department of Planning and Environment and Department of Industry, the latter formed in July 2015. The new department was originally planned to be named the Department of Planning and Industry.{{Gazette NSW |title=Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes—Public Service Agencies) Order 2019 [NSW] |issue=159 |page=7-8 |date=2 April 2019 |url=https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/regulations/2019-159.pdf |access-date=4 April 2019 |via= }} The Office of Local Government and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) would also be abolished and merged into the new department. The heritage functions of the OEH were an exception and would be assumed by the Heritage Branch within Department of Premier and Cabinet, later known as Heritage NSW.{{cite web|url=https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/tools-and-resources/machinery-of-government/premier-and-cabinet/|title=Machinery of Government - Premier and Cabinet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124151336/https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/tools-and-resources/machinery-of-government/premier-and-cabinet/|archive-date=24 January 2020|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/annual-reports/|title=Annual Reports|website=Heritage NSW|access-date=23 January 2022}} The abolition of the OEH and the lack of the word "Environment" in the name of the new department generated criticism from OEH staff, environmental groups and the opposition.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/vandals-nsw-environment-staff-fear-for-jobs-as-office-dissolves-20190402-p519wy.html|title='Vandals': NSW environment staff fear for jobs as office dissolves|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=2 April 2019|access-date=11 June 2021}} In May 2019, the "Environment" word was added to the proposed name.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/five-decisions-before-lunch-environment-gets-another-bite-at-the-pie-20190503-p51ju1.html|title='Five decisions before lunch': environment gets another bite at the PIE|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 May 2019|access-date=11 June 2021}}

All proposed changes took effect on 1 July 2019 and the new department was established. The new department was initially spread across a number of sites, mostly in the Sydney CBD. In January and February 2020, the department relocated and consolidated most of its staff in a newly built tower at 4 Parramatta Square.{{Cite web|last=Housing and Property|date=2020-10-26|title=4 Parramatta Square Workplace|url=https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/services/property-and-development-nsw/commercial-development/4-parramatta-square-workplace|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Housing and Property|language=en|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106093423/https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/services/property-and-development-nsw/commercial-development/4-parramatta-square-workplace|url-status=dead}} Shortly after moving into the building, the department was criticised by unions and some staff for spending $1,246,000 fitting out its new offices with indoor plants.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-09|title='It's astonishing': More than $1.2m spent on indoor plants for new NSW Government office|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-10/nsw-government-defends-million-budget-for-office-plants/12336618|access-date=2020-10-30|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=2020-06-10|title=NSW planning department spent $1.2m on office plants|url=https://www.themandarin.com.au/134974-nsw-planning-department-spent-1-2m-on-office-plants/|access-date=2020-10-30|website=The Mandarin|language=en-US}} The expenditure was not supported by the planning minister, Rob Stokes.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-10|title='The hypocrisy is breathtaking': NSW government splurges a million dollars on plants|url=https://www.2gb.com/the-hypocrisy-is-breathtaking-nsw-government-splurges-a-million-dollars-on-plants/|access-date=2020-10-30|website=2GB|language=en}}

In April 2020, the Regions, Industry, Agriculture and Resources division of DPIE was spun out as the Department of Regional NSW, a separate government department.{{cite journal|url=https://www.nsw.gov.au/news/department-of-regional-nsw-to-take-on-urgent-needs-of-bush|title=Department of Regional NSW to take on urgent needs of the bush|website=NSW Government|date=2 April 2020|access-date=13 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/1977/05/schadministrat/dup172|title=Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes—Regional NSW and Independent Planning Commission) Order 2020|website=Legislation NSW|date=2020|access-date=13 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/regions-ind-ag-resources|title=Regions, Industry, Agriculture and Resources|website=Department of Planning, Industry and Environment|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713020345/https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/regions-ind-ag-resources|archive-date=13 July 2020|url-status=live}} On 21 December 2021, the reduced DPIE was renamed back the Department of Planning and Environment.

Heritage NSW was transferred back from the Department of Premier and Cabinet to the Department of Planning and Environment on 1 April 2022.

Legislation to create the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust passed on 29 March 2022, which would comprise Centennial Parklands (including Moore Park and Queens Park), Western Sydney Parklands, Parramatta Park, Callan Park and Fernhill Estate and their individual park trusts.{{cite web|url=https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/open-space/50-year-vision-for-greater-sydney-parklands|title=50-Year Vision for Greater Sydney's Open Space and Parklands|website=Department of Planning and Environment|access-date=19 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/open-space/greater-sydney-parklands|title=Greater Sydney Parklands|website=Department of Planning and Environment|access-date=19 November 2022}} The trust, along with the Luna Park Reserve Trust, Place Management NSW and the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, were transferred from DoPE to Transport for NSW on 1 April 2022.{{cite web |title=Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes—Miscellaneous) Order (No 2) 2022 [NSW] |page=8 |date=16 March 2022 |url=https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/sl-2022-84|access-date=19 November 2022 |website=NSW Legislation }}

Following a media release on 18 August 2023,{{Cite web |date=18 August 2023 |title=Changes to the public sector to provide laser focus on housing and energy challenges {{!}} NSW Government |url=https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/changes-to-public-sector-to-provide-laser-focus-on-housing-and-energy-challenges |access-date=19 January 2024}} it was announced that, as of 1 January 2024, the department would be split into two new entities: the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The former would also be joined by the Office of Energy and Climate Change, which was until then a part of the New South Wales Treasury.

Until its dissolution in 2024, the department was the lead agency in the Planning and Environment cluster, led by Secretary, at the time, Kiersten Fishburn since October 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/News/2021/Kiersten-Fishburn-appointed-DPIE-secretary|title=Kiersten Fishburn appointed DPIE secretary|website=Department of Planning, Industry and Environment|date=7 September 2021|access-date=23 September 2021}}

Between June 2021 and December 2021, the department was made up of six core delivery groups:{{cite web|url=https://media.opengov.nsw.gov.au/pairtree_root/04/5d/19/8f/0d/73/4b/58/b9/3f/9b/94/f1/62/c5/57/obj/DPIE_Annual_Report_2020_21_Final_291021_.pdf|title=NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Annual Report 2020–21|website=OpenGov NSW|pages=7–8|date=November 2021|access-date=21 February 2022}}

• Water (including Hunter Water Corporation, Sydney Water and Water NSW)
• Housing & Property
• Environment, Energy & Science (which replaced the Office of the Environment & Heritage)
• Planning & Assessment
• Place, Design & Urban Spaces
• Planning Delivery Unit & Local Government

There was also previously another core delivery group, Regions, Industry, Agriculture & Resources until it was transferred to the new Department of Regional NSW in April 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tp/files/78990/2019-20%20Annual%20Report%20of%20the%20Department%20of%20Planning%20Industry%20and%20Environment.pdf|title=NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Annual Report 2019–20|website=Parliament of NSW|publisher=Department of Planning, Industry and Environment|pages=10–12|date=November 2020|access-date=21 February 2022}}

The department was responsible to the cluster's three portfolio ministers: at the time of its dissolution, the Minister for the Environment, Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, and Minister for Heritage, the Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC; the Minister for Water, the Hon. Rose Jackson MLC; the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP. All ministers were ultimately responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

The department administered the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979{{cite web| title=NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act| publisher=Parliament of New South Wales| year=1979| url=http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+203+1979+FIRST+0+N/| access-date=5 May 2007 }} and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.{{cite web | title=NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee | website=NSW Environment, Energy and Science |publisher= Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (NSW)| url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/nsw-threatened-species-scientific-committee| access-date=15 May 2021}}

The following agencies are included in the Planning and Environment cluster, administered by the Department:{{cite web|url=https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/about-us/our-agencies|title=Our agencies|website=Department of Planning and Environment|access-date=19 November 2022}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Aboriginal Housing Office
• Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW
• Crown Lands
• Energy NSW
• Environment, Energy and Science
• Environment Protection Authority
• Environmental Trust
• Government Architect NSW
• Great Public Spaces
• Green and Resilient Places
• Land & Housing Corporation
• National Parks & Wildlife Service
• Natural Resources Access Regulator
• Office of Local Government
• Planning
• Planning Portal
• Property and Development NSW
• Snowy Advisory Committee{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/snowy-loses-independent-scientific-oversight-20140910-10f3al.html | title=Snowy loses independent scientific oversight | work=SMH | date=September 10, 2014 | access-date=August 27, 2019 | author=Hannam, Peter}}{{cite web|url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/water-for-the-environment/snowy-and-montane/snowy-advisory-committee|title=Snowy Advisory Committee|website=Department of Planning and Environment|access-date=19 November 2022}}
• Sydney Olympic Park Authority
• The Rocks
• Valuer General
• Water Infrastructure

{{div col end}}

The previous Department of Planning and Environment's corporate plan was outlined in Planning for Growing NSW: 2015–2017 that aimed to plan for growth by inspiring strong communities and by protecting the environment.{{rp|4}} In keeping with this, the department's priorities were:{{rp|7}}

• Enabling the creation of strong, vibrant communities
• Make the planning system simpler, cheaper and faster
• Supporting affordable and appropriately-serviced housing and employment land
• Assessing major projects and infrastructure in a timely and efficient way, while ensuring appropriate planning outcomes

• List of New South Wales government agencies
• Urban planning in Australia
• Department of Industry (New South Wales)
• Department of Regional NSW

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/ Department of Planning and Environment website]
• [http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au DPE Planning website]
• [https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ DPE Environment website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080704190128/http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/ City of Cities – A Plan for Sydney's Future]

{{New South Wales Government Departments}}

Category:Urban planning in Australia

Category:2019 establishments in Australia

Category:Economy of New South Wales

Category:Local government in New South Wales

New South Wales

Category:Environment of New South Wales

New South Wales