Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP on Exhibtion

This follows recent amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, which strengthened the objects of the Act to place greater emphasis on climate change adaptation and natural disaster resilience. The proposed SEPP represents the next practical step in embedding those objectives into day-to-day planning and development assessment.

The draft policy proposes a clear, consistent, statewide framework that integrates climate change and natural hazard considerations including flooding, bushfire, coastal hazards and urban heat into land use planning decisions across NSW.

Key features of the proposed SEPP include:

• Updating and streamlining existing natural hazard controls

• Focusing on major risks including climate change, floods, bushfire, coastal processes, urban heat and post-disaster recovery

• Establishing a consistent method for assessing climate and hazard risk in development applications

• Adopting an “all-hazards” approach to strengthen resilience now and into the future

• Supporting councils and consent authorities to make clearer, risk-based decisions

Also on exhibition are the Draft Climate Change Scenario Guidelines and Draft Urban Heat Policy Statement, which outline proposed objectives, climate scenarios and planning principles to guide implementation.

Importantly, the new SEPP would replace the Resilience and Hazards SEPP 2021, consolidating hazard planning provisions into a single, updated SEPP. It is noted that the existing Chapter 3 Hazardous and offensive development and Chapter 4 Remediation of land will be relocated into the Industry and Employment SEPP and Planning Systems SEPP respectively.

The proposal is currently on exhibition through an Explanation of Intended Effect until 5pm, Monday 16 March 2026.

Mecone welcomes the changes to climate change and disaster resilience planning. For proponents, consultants and local government, this reform signals a stronger, more structured approach to climate risk in planning. Importantly, the consolidation of hazard and climate provisions into a single instrument will provide greater clarity at the outset of the development process.

If you would like to discuss how the proposed SEPP may affect your developments or strategic planning work, please feel free to reach out to our NSW Planning Teams at info@mecone.com.au