NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) is a department of the New South Wales Government focused on effective and sustainable planning to support the state's growth. DPHI aims to create vibrant communities where people can live, work, and enjoy leisure activities, ensuring access to transport, shops, and restaurants. The department collaborates with community members, businesses, and local governments, using evidence-based planning to support the growth and development of cities and regions.

> To shape thriving communities, public spaces, places, and economies.

The DPHI strives to improve the liveability and prosperity of NSW by creating vibrant, productive spaces and precincts, managing lands, assets, and property effectively, and delivering affordable and diverse housing.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Creating vibrant and productive spaces and precincts.

Managing lands, assets, and property effectively.

Delivering affordable and diverse housing solutions.

Prioritizing environmental protection to ensure sustainable delivery of jobs, infrastructure, and housing.

Addressing the housing crisis and fostering resilient communities.

Implementing major planning reforms for housing needs, such as the Transport Orientated Development (TOD) program.

Streamlining planning approvals for major housing developments.

Specialization Areas

Strategic planning and policy development.

Land use and housing delivery management.

Development assessment and sustainability.

Infrastructure program development.

Target Markets

The citizens of New South Wales.

Local government areas within NSW.

Businesses and developers operating in NSW.

2. Financial Overview

No financial data available.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Strategic Planning & Policy: Development of overarching planning policies to guide land use and housing.

State Rezoning: Managing and implementing state-level rezoning initiatives.

Local Planning & Council Support: Providing support and guidance to local councils on planning matters.

Infrastructure Programs: Development and oversight of infrastructure programs to support growth.

Development Assessment: Assessing and approving development applications.

Energy Resource and Assessment: Assessing and managing energy resources and related projects.

Infrastructure Assessment: Assessing infrastructure projects for their impact and sustainability.

Housing and Key Sites Assessment: Focusing on assessment related to housing and key development sites.

Environment and Assessment Policy: Creating policies related to environment and assessment.

4. Technology & Innovation

Information not available regarding the specific technology stack utilized by the DPHI. However, the department is committed to driving sustainable development and improving the state's liveability by leveraging technology and is exploring opportunities to utilize technology to connect public servants to citizens, particularly in housing approvals and land development.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Secretary: Kiersten Fishburn is responsible for the creation of vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; the effective management of lands, assets and property; and the delivery of affordable and diverse housing. Previously, Kiersten Fishburn was the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment. She also served as the Deputy Secretary, Cities & Active Transport at Transport for NSW, and the CEO of Liverpool City Council.

Acting Deputy Secretary, Planning, Land Use Strategy, Housing and Infrastructure (PLUSHI): Monica Gibson. Her team is responsible for creating overarching planning policies.

Executive Director, Strategic Planning & Policy: Tom Loomes.

Executive Director, State Rezoning: Anthea Sargeant.

Acting Executive Director, Local Planning & Council Support: Daniel Thompson (from 6 May 2024).

Executive Director, Infrastructure Programs: Jonathon Schipp.

Acting Executive Director, Governance and Insights: Hanna Shalbaf.

Acting Executive Director, Planning Delivery and Integration: Alison Burton and Leah Schramm.

Deputy Secretary, Development Assessment and Sustainability: David Gainsford. His team handles the assessment of specific applications and approvals.

Executive Director, Energy Resource and Assessment: Clay Preshaw.

Executive Director, Infrastructure Assessment: Erica van den Honert.

Acting Executive Director, Housing and Key Sites Assessment: Ben Lusher.

Acting Executive Director, Environment and Assessment Policy: Steve Hartley.

NSW Government Architect: Abbie Galvin.

Executive Director, Operations & Planning Delivery: David McNamara.

Director Employment Land Delivery Program: Jane Grose.

Recent Leadership Changes

Bianca Jordaan, former Chief Information and Digital Officer, resigned to take up a new opportunity. The department is currently searching for a new CIO to oversee IT operations and modernization for multiple systems.

6. Competitive Analysis

Information regarding specific competitors is not available. However, DPHI collaborates and partners with various NSW agencies, local governments, industry stakeholders, and utility providers, indicating a cooperative rather than competitive approach.

7. Market Analysis

Market Overview

DPHI operates within the New South Wales planning, housing, and infrastructure market. Key aspects include:

Housing Needs: Focused on delivering 377,000 new homes NSW needs by 2029.

Market Trends: Implementing the Transport Oriented Development State Environmental Planning Policy (TOD SEPP) to deliver more homes near transport hubs.

Housing Targets: Working to meet the new 5-year housing targets and aligning them with the National Housing Accord.

Data Accessibility: Committed to open data and transparency, including making government data on housing and employment more accessible.

8. Strategic Partnerships

DPHI partners with community members, businesses, and local governments in its planning processes.

The department collaborates with other NSW agencies, local government, industry, and utility providers on strategic planning and monitoring of land use and housing delivery.

DPHI is working with 12 of 13 local government areas to develop housing plans that deliver greater or equal housing numbers than required by the original TOD SEPP.

Partnerships with the Property Council of Australia to address housing supply targets and streamline planning processes.

WSROC (Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils) in establishing the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) Compliance Support Team.

9. Operational Insights

DPHI underwent a functional review in 2024 to better align resources and skills for delivering homes and infrastructure.

The department emphasizes cultural change, ensuring planning priorities and decisions are economically feasible.

DPHI is committed to driving sustainable development and improving the state's liveability by leveraging technology.

The department is focused on streamlining the planning system to be sharper, simpler, more transparent, and logical.

10. Future Outlook

Strategic Roadmap

DPHI is focused on delivering the 377,000 new homes NSW needs by 2029.

The department is implementing the Transport Oriented Development State Environmental Planning Policy (TOD SEPP) to deliver more homes near transport hubs.

DPHI is working to meet the new 5-year housing targets and aligning them with the National Housing Accord.

The department is exploring opportunities to utilize technology to connect public servants to citizens, particularly in housing approvals and land development.