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Local Planning Panel (LPP)

What an LPP is in NSW: independent panel that determines DAs above council thresholds or involving conflict of interest, heritage demolition, or high objection volumes.

By Dan Waring. Last updated 9 May 2026. Verified 9 May 2026.

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A Local Planning Panel (LPP) is an independent body that determines certain development applications (DAs) on behalf of a NSW council. LPPs were introduced on 1 March 2018 when all existing Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels (IHAPs) across Greater Sydney and Wollongong were converted under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) (verified 2026-05-09, NSW Department of Planning).

Councils in Greater Sydney and Wollongong must have an LPP. Other NSW councils may establish one voluntarily or be directed to by the Minister for Planning (verified 2026-05-09, NSW Department of Planning).

DAs are referred to the LPP rather than determined by council staff or elected councillors when they fall into one of these categories:

  • Estimated development cost of $5 million to $30 million (where there is concern the assessment may be compromised) (verified 2026-05-09, NSW Department of Planning)
  • High volume of objections (typically 10 or more unique submissions)
  • Politically sensitive or contentious matters, including where an elected official has a conflict of interest
  • Demolition of a heritage item or destruction of a community asset
  • Matters of strategic state significance

For larger projects above $30 million, the application typically goes to a Sydney or regional planning panel rather than the LPP (verified 2026-05-09, NSW Department of Planning).

Each panel has four members: an independent chair, two experts (drawn from a Minister-endorsed pool of planners, architects, engineers, heritage specialists, or urban designers), and one community representative. Members are appointed by the relevant council. Experts must not be property developers (verified 2026-05-09, NSW Department of Planning).

Under the Planning Systems Reforms Act 2025 (NSW), changes effective from 16 January 2026 streamline panel structures and return more routine DA determination to councils, with LPP jurisdiction progressively expanding to absorb some regionally significant development work as district and regional planning panels are phased out (verified 2026-05-09, NSW Department of Planning).

For a builder, the LPP pathway adds time and formality to the DA process. Meetings are typically monthly. Public speakers are permitted and submissions must be lodged by a set deadline before the meeting.

Also known as: LPP; formerly IHAP (Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel) prior to March 2018.

Category: Approvals.

See also

Last updated: 2026-05-09. Verified: 2026-05-09. Quarterly review for currency.

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