Do you want to lodge an application for development on port land and don't know how? Read some frequently asked questions and start the process.
Once you have determined that you want to progress a development proposal on Port Authority of New South Wales’ land and are ready to prepare a planning application, please contact Port Authority Customer & Commercial team to discuss if Port Authority will consider the development proposal.
phone: +61 2 9296 4999
email: [email protected]
Applications requiring consent will generally be assessed and approved by the Minister for Planning or the Minister's delegate. In other cases, the local council may be the approval authority.
Port Authority will be able to identify the approval authority for a development proposal once you provide initial details of the proposed development.
Once Port Authority Customer & Commercial team have confirmed that the Port Authority will consider the development proposed, you should provide the following information (as a minimum):
- a complete Permission to Lodge Application Form
- a plan showing the location of the development
- a written description of the proposal
- estimated cost (Capital Investment Value) of the development.
- anything additional requested by Port Authority
Once the above information has been received, Port Authority’s Planning team will contact you to discuss the proposal and, if deemed required, arrange a suitable meeting time to discuss the planning application (Planning Application Meeting).
The purpose of the Planning Application Meeting (PAM) is to discuss the approval process, Port Authority of New South Wales’ assessment requirements and advise you of any relevant Port Authority guidelines and policies that need to be considered.
Port Authority of New South Wales has a range of planning policies to guide the future development of port land. These guidelines/policy documents should be reviewed and complied with and can be accessed here.
In addition to Port Authority policies/guidelines there are a number of planning policies and instruments that are relevant to Port Authority sites which have been prepared by other government authorities. When assessing a development proposal and preparing an application, you will also need to refer to these documents. As policies are constantly evolving it is always best to check with Port Authority, the Department of Planning & Environment, other government agencies/authorities and the local Council to see if there are any new policy documents that are relevant to the proposed development.
The applicant is responsible for preparing the planning application. In most cases specialists will be required to prepare the documentation and assess the potential impacts of the development proposal.
The information required to assess your development proposal will vary according to the type and scale of the development. From the Port Authority you will be provided with a list of requirements for inclusion and/or consideration in your proposal following the Planning Application Meeting with Port Authority of New South Wales on the development proposal. The relevant consent authority can provide you with the planning assessment and approval requirements relevant to the development proposal
Where Port Authority of New South Wales has provided you with a Permission to Lodge your application with a consent authority, following approval from that authority, Port Authority may track compliance against key conditions of approval, commitments and Permission to Lodge requirements from the perspective as land owner. The Port Authority may require submission of relevant documentation and information in order to track compliance.
Following planning approval, you will also need to seek Port Authority approval to commence construction/fit-out works and operations, as specified in the requirements of Port Authority Permission to Lodge.
Your development proposal may also require other approvals and licenses such as:
- Construction Certificates
- Environment Protection Licenses
- Commonwealth approvals
While Port Authority will assist in identifying other potential approval requirements, it will remain the responsibility of the applicant/proponent to obtain them.
