Coastal Areas
Since 2002, the Department has assessed major projects along the State's coastline, including subdivisions, tall buildings and recreation and tourist projects. This allows the NSW Government to implement the objectives of its various coastal policies, including State Environmental Planning Policy 71 (Coastal Protection), the NSW Coastal Policy and NSW Coastal Design Guidelines.
These policies support aims such as retaining and improving public access, encouraging high-quality design, preventing Gold Coast-style developments creeping south of the border and protecting sensitive areas such as wetlands and rainforests. In 2006-07, the NSW Government released a series of coastal regional strategies to further guide long-term growth and environmental protection.
Coastal projects which come to the Department are outlined in Schedule 2 of the Major Projects SEPP.