As we approach the end of 2025, I would like to take this opportunity to update all on our ongoing policy and advocacy work that directly benefits you as members.
Recent months have seen significant legislative changes affecting the built environment in NSW, all based around the lens of the Housing Crisis, and the Institute has continued to be actively engaged. Our understanding is that the reforms will be ongoing and are complex to navigate. The Institute are available for support if you do have any questions.
– Elizabeth Carpenter, NSW CHAPTER PRESIDENT
EPA Amendment Bill Passes Parliament
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025 passed NSW Parliament on 11 November 2025, introducing significant changes to streamline housing delivery and modernise development assessment processes. Generally, the changes are intended to be pragmatic rather than radical, however, there are a number of major changes to be aware of.
Most notably for our profession, amendments secured during passage now explicitly include “the protection of the health and safety of the occupants of buildings” in the Act’s objects – a clear statutory recognition of architecture’s fundamental responsibility. Other amendments introduced mandatory ministerial transparency when departing from Housing Delivery Authority recommendations; the introduction of a new pathway for developments where issues are already addressed through strategic planning or codes, with the aim of reducing assessment timeframes – the Targeted Assessment Development and the establishment of the Development Coordination Authority with annual reporting requirements.
While the reforms promise efficiency gains, concerns remain around reduced community participation timeframes and potential impacts on design quality assessment. We will continue monitoring implementation and advocating for planning processes that support architectural excellence alongside housing delivery.
Please refer to our letter to Minister Scully which outlines our initial concerns. We will also provide further feedback on the passed legislation.
Review of Design and Building Practitioners Act Released
In mid August, 2025 the Institute were invited to attend a Parliamentary Enquiry undertaken by the Public Accountability and Works Committee on the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, the Residential Apartment Buildings Act and related Draft Government Bills. This Inquiry reviewed our July, 2024 submission and also our subsequent targetted submission in July 2025.
The outcome of this Inquiry was published on Tuesday 11 November here.
Positively, the Committee adopted our advocacy for stronger consumer protections, recommending a new building defects dispute resolution scheme with mandatory mediation. The Building Commission’s establishment and empowerment reflects our call for robust regulatory oversight, and the Committee’s strong emphasis on transparent stakeholder consultation mirrors our position.
However, key Institute priorities were not reflected. It is important to note that these key priorities were generally focussed on the consolidated Building Bill, which has yet to be further developed.
Our recommendations on sustainability requirements, First Nations design principles, and digital innovation integration (including BIM) received no mention in the final report. On registration, rather than supporting our opposition to additional experience requirements for architects, the Committee recommended expanding pathways for non-tertiary practitioners, a divergent approach.
We will continue to proactively engage with government on implementing the adopted recommendations while advocating for our unaddressed priorities in future policy development.