Constructing a database of development applications considered by public health units in New South Wales

Abstract

In NSW a formal assessment is required prior to any significant development (such as a residential development or new industry) to ensure it complies with relevant planning controls and to confirm it is environmentally and socially sustainable. The level of assessment required is dictated by state, regional and local planning legislation, which also outlines who is responsible for assessing and granting consent to the development, be it the local council or the NSW Minister for Planning. The NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) provides the legislative framework to assess the environmental impact of development proposals. This article describes a survey of public health units in NSW that informed the development of a database designed to support environmental risk assessment.