Project Sectors

Schedule 1 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005 provides a list of the types (also known as classes) of development which can be considered major projects. These development types include:

• agriculture, timber, food and related industries;
• mining, petroleum production, quarries and associated processing industries;
• chemical, manufacturing and related industries;
• general manufacturing, distribution and storage facilities
• tourism and recreational facilities;
• health and public service facilities;
• transport, energy and water infrastructure;
• resource and waste-related industries.

Schedule 1 commonly sets thresholds (such as a total capital investment value or the number of operational employees) before a proposal may be considered a major project. For example, for a proposed timber mill the relevant threshold is that it would have to employ more than 100 people full time and have a capital investment value of more than $30 million. If the Minister forms the opinion that a particular project meets the threshold, then it is declared a major project.

Projects in Specified Sites (Schedule 2)

Schedule 2 of the Major Projects SEPP lists the types of developments that can be considered major projects because of where they are located. These include:

• extractive industries, landfill facilities, some subdivisions, recreation and tourist facilities, tall buildings and other development in the coastal zone. Most of these are found in the "Coastal Areas" navigation tab at the left of screen, or under the relevant project sector (e.g. extractive industries)
• some development in mapped areas including Chatswood Railway Interchange, Kurnell, Honeysuckle, Penrith Lakes, Port and Related Employment Lands, Fox Studios, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Sites, Taronga Zoo, Austalian Museum, Sydney Olympic Park and some sites in Ku-ring-gai Council. Details of these projects are found under the project sector relevant to the type of development.

Projects in State Significant Sites (Schedule 3)

Some projects are assessed under Part 3A, not because they meet the thresholds/criteria for Schedules 1 or 2, but because they are located in a State significant site, and satisfy the criteria for Part 3A assessment via the Schedule 3 provisions for the particular site. Where this occurs, the project will be categorised under the project sector most similar to the type of development, rather than under the "State Significant Sites" navigation tab.

Infrastructure Projects

The Minister in July 2005 published an order that State government infrastructure projects which were likely to significantly affect the environment, must be determined by the Minister under Part 3A rather than the State Government's proponent agency. These types of projects include motorways, railways, water supply projects and electricity transmission projects.