Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel (SSLPP)

What is the Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel?

The Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel (SSLPP), formerly known as the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP), was established under State Government legislation to provide an independent hearing forum for applicants and objectors on certain development applications. The Panel assesses and determines these applications in a manner that is ethical, professional and independent of council. Code of Conduct for Local Planning Panel Members .

Please refer to the following Planning NSW documents relating to Local Planning Panels for further information:

Local Planning Panel/IHAP Best Practice Meeting Procedures

Local Planning Panel/IHAP Overview

Local Planning Panel/IHAP Frequently Asked Questions

Further information on legislation and Local Planning Panels is outlined on the Department of Planning and Environment's website.

What does the Panel Review?

The Panel reviews development applications that present:

1. Conflict of interest
2. Contentious development (more than 10 unique objections)
3. Departure from development standards greater than 10%
4. Sensitive development

Refer to the Minister for Planning’s direction for more detailed information for Schedule 2 Development.

Instrument of Delegation: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 - Delegation of Functions from Local Planning Panel to Chief Executive Officer and/or Director Shire Planning.

Development applications for regionally significant development are determined by the Sydney South Planning Panel.

Panel Meetings

Meetings are usually held on the first and third Tuesday of each month commencing at 6:00PM at the Sutherland Shire Entertainment Centre, and are open to the general public. The dates for future meetings can be viewed here. 

Before the Meeting

Applicants and objectors receive written notice of the meeting at which the relevant application will be determined and are invited to attend to address the Panel. Registrations to address the Panel must be sent to: sslpp@ssc.nsw.gov.au.

Council Assessment Officers prepare a full Assessment Report, detailing any submissions and making a recommendation on the Application for the Panel's consideration. Before considering the Application, the Panel visit all development sites on the day of the meeting.

Once Council’s assessment is finalised the Business Paper (Agenda) is published to Council’s website on the Tuesday prior to the meeting and the completed assessment package is provided to the Local Planning Panel for their review and determination.

At the Meeting

Applicants and Objectors who have registered to speak will be invited to address the Panel, in the order of the Agenda, during which time questions may be asked by the Panel. 

Speakers may, if preferred, have someone represent them at the meeting (eg. an architect or planner).  Speakers should be mindful that the Panel has been provided with the Assessment Report and all other relevant information in advance, and only additional information should be provided verbally to the Panel at the meeting. All meetings are recorded and the audio recordings are published on Council's website the following day.

After the Meeting

The final Report of Meeting containing the Panel's determinations will be published to Council's website by the Monday following the meeting and all published Reports are available here.

The Panel Members

The Chair (appointed by the Minister) is required to have expertise in law or government and public administration. Council has selected SSLPP members from a pool managed by the Department of Planning and Environment. They are required to be an expert in one or more of the following areas: planning, architecture, heritage, the environment, urban design, economics, traffic and transport, law, engineering, tourism or government and public administration.  In addition, community members are selected by Council to represent the geographical area within the local government area of the proposed development. Councillors and mayors are not permitted to be Panel Members in their local government area. The current Panel Members are:

Annual Disclosures of Interest in Written Returns for Panel members can be found here. 

There are usually four Panel Members at each meeting, with a minimum of three Panel Members required to attend, in order for a Determination to be made. Council Development Assessment Managers will be in attendance at the meeting.