An overview of the regulatory planning system in New South Wales: identifying points of intervention for health impact assessment and consideration of health impacts

Patrick J. Harris; Ben F. Harris-Roxas; Elizabeth Harris

doi:10.1071/NB07073A

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Previous Next Contents Vol 18(10)

An overview of the regulatory planning system in New South Wales: identifying points of intervention for health impact assessment and consideration of health impacts

Patrick J. Harris ^A ^B , Ben F. Harris-Roxas ^A and Elizabeth Harris ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Centre for Health Equity Training, Research & Evaluation (CHETRE), University of New South Wales

^B Corresponding author. Email: patrick.harris@unsw.edu.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 18(10) 188-191 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB07073A
Published: 26 September 2007

Abstract

The experience of health impact assessment (HIA) in NSW has shown that it is possible to incorporate considerations of health impacts into decision-making concerning urban planning. In NSW, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 is the regulatory framework governing urban planning. This legislative system provides opportunities for HIA and the consideration of health impacts as part of developing plans, policies and development proposals within NSW.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Dr Danny Wiggins (planning and design consultant and private developer) for comments on drafts of this paper.

References

[1] Frumkin H. Healthy places: exploring the evidence. Am J Public Health 2003; 93(9): 1451–6.
| PubMed |

[2] Frumkin H , Frank L , Jackson R . Urban sprawl and public health: designing, planning, and building. Washington DC: Island Press, 2004.

[3] Barton H. A health map for urban planners: towards a conceptual map for healthy, sustainable settlements. Built Environ 2005; 31(4): 339–55.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[4] Northridge ME, Sclar E. A joint urban planning and public health framework: contributions to health impact assessment. Am J Public Health 2003; 93(1): 118–21.
| PubMed |

[5] WHO Europe. Health impact assessment: healthy cities and urban governance, 2005. Available at http://www.euro.who.int/healthy-cities/UHT/20050201_10, accessed 22 August 2006.

[6] Dannenberg AL, Bhatia R, Cole BL, Dora C, Fielding JE, Kraft K, et al. Growing the field of health impact assessment in the United States: an agenda for research and practice. Am J Public Health 2006; 96 262–70.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

[7] NSW Government. Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, No. 203, 1979.

[8] Dahlgren G , Whitehead M . Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health. Stockholm: Institute for Future Studies, 1991.

[9] NSW Department of Planning. State environmental planning policies, 2007.

[10] NSW Department of Planning. Implementation of regional strategies—ministerial direction (Local Planning, Section 117 Directions). Sydney: NSW Government, NSW Department of Planning, 2007.

[11] NSW Department of Planning. Local plan making, 2007.

[12] National Heart Foundation of Australia. Healthy by design: a planner’s guide to environments for active living. West Melbourne: National Heart Foundation of Australia (Victoria Division), 2004.

[13] NSW Department of Planning. NSW major projects assessment system: a community guide. Sydney: NSW Government, 2005.

[14] NSW Department of Planning. Project applications under Part 3A: steps in the process. Sydney: NSW Government, NSW Department of Planning, 2005.

[15] National Public Health Partnership. Health impact assessment: legislative and administrative frameworks. Melbourne: National Public Health Partnership, 2004.

[16] Banken R. Health impact assessment: how to start the process and make it last. Bull World Health Organ 2003; 81 389–91.
| PubMed |