# Town Hall Square proposal declared state significant

Date: 9 Oct 2026
Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

## MediaRelease.co Summary

The NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has declared the City of Sydney's proposed square opposite Sydney Town Hall a State Significant Development, after the Independent Planning Commission advised the project has state and regional planning significance. The declaration was made under section 4.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. If the City lodges a development application, the commission will determine it after a whole-of-government assessment and public consultation.

## Original release

Following the receipt of advice from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), I have declared the City of Sydney’s proposal for a new square opposite Sydney Town Hall as State Significant Development (SSD). The IPC considered information on the proposal provided by both the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and City of Sydney and advised the project is of State and Regional planning significance. The IPC’s advice on the Town Hall Square proposal was published earlier today and is available in full at Town Hall Square - Request for advice on State or regional planning significance . Consequently, I am using my authority under section 4.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to declare the proposal SSD. The proposal will be delegated to the IPC for determination should the City of Sydney submit an SSD development application. This process will allow for a rigorous whole-of-government assessment by the Department and provide an opportunity for individuals, the community, and other stakeholders to have their say on any development application before its determination by the IPC.

## Key details

- Author/spokesperson: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
- Published: 9 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: Australia
- Subject country/region: New South Wales (Australia)
- Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/town-hall-square-proposal-declared-state-significant
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/au/mr01824-town-hall-square-proposal-declared-state-significant-09102026.html

Original source: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/town-hall-square-proposal-declared-state-significant
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/au/mr01824-town-hall-square-proposal-declared-state-significant-09102026.html