Environmental planning instruments

Environmental planning instruments (sometimes called EPIs) are local environmental plans (LEPs) and State environmental planning policies (SEPPs) that are made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Environmental planning instruments, unlike statutory rules, cannot be disallowed by Parliament.

Although they are made under the authority of an Act, environmental planning instruments are treated as being a distinct category of legislation separate from other subordinate legislation.

Local environmental plans are made for particular local government areas. They are made either by the Greater Sydney Commission (if it relates to land in the Greater Sydney Region under the Greater Sydney Commission Act 2015) or the Minister for Planning (if it relates to other land). They may also be made by a delegate of the Commission or the Minister.

New local environmental plans usually adopt certain provisions specified by the Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Order 2006 made by the Governor under section 33A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

State environmental planning policies are made for either the whole of the State or special areas of the State. They are all made by the Governor.

All environmental planning instruments and amendments to the Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Order 2006 must be published on this website before they can take effect.