Introduction
The Committee on Environment and Planning is a standing committee of the Legislative Assembly, which was established on 22 June 2023.
The Committee has the following portfolio responsibilities: Environment; Energy; Local Government; Planning and Public Spaces. The Committee may examine any issues relevant to these portfolio responsibilities. This includes scrutinising any relevant bills or laws, financial management of relevant government agencies and annual reports of government departments.
Members
- Chair:
- Clayton Barr (Australian Labor Party, Legislative Assembly)
- Deputy Chair:
- Sally Quinnell (Australian Labor Party, Legislative Assembly)
- Members:
- Judy Hannan (Independent, Legislative Assembly)
- Maryanne Stuart (Australian Labor Party, Legislative Assembly)
- James Wallace (Liberal Party, Legislative Assembly)
Inquiries
During the current parliament, the following inquiries have been undertaken by the committee:
| Start date | Inquiry |
|---|---|
| Mon 18 November 2024 | The electricity outages affecting Far West NSW in October 2024 |
| Tue 10 October 2023 | Historical development consents in NSW |
| Thu 29 June 2023 | Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023 |
Records of earlier inquiries undertaken by the committee:
| Start date | Inquiry |
|---|---|
| Wed 10 November 2021 | Food production and supply in NSW |
| Thu 21 November 2019 | Professional Engineers Registration Bill 2019 |
| Tue 16 July 2019 | Sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW |
| Thu 22 June 2017 | Land Release and Housing Supply in New South Wales |
| Wed 09 September 2015 | Adequacy of the regulation of short-term holiday letting in New South Wales |
Reports and government responses
During the current parliament, the following reports and government responses have been tabled:
| Inquiry | Report tabled | Government response due |
|---|---|---|
| The electricity outages affecting Far West NSW in October 2024 | Thu 05 June 2025 | Fri 05 December 2025 |
| Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023 | Tue 21 November 2023 | Tue 21 May 2024 |
Reports and government responses tabled by the committee:
| Inquiry | Report tabled | Government response due |
|---|---|---|
| Food production and supply in NSW | Tue 01 November 2022 | Due on Mon 01 May 2023 |
| Sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW | Fri 13 August 2021 | Mon 14 February 2022 |
| Professional Engineers Registration Bill 2019 | Wed 15 July 2020 | Wed 13 January 2021 |
| Land Release and Housing Supply in New South Wales | Thu 25 October 2018 | Due on Wed 24 April 2019 |
| Adequacy of the regulation of short-term holiday letting in New South Wales | Wed 19 October 2016 | Due on Wed 19 April 2017 |
Resolution establishing the committee
Extracts from Votes and Proceedings No. 12, Thursday 22 June 2023
18 PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
Mr Ron Hoenig moved, by leave, That the following motions for the establishment of Parliamentary committees and the appointment of members be agreed to:
(1) Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment and Planning
That:
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the standing orders:
1. A Portfolio Standing Committee to be known as the Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment and Planning be appointed. The following portfolio responsibilities stand referred to the Committee – Environment; Energy; Local Government; Planning and Public Spaces.
2. The name and portfolio groupings of the Committee may change to correspond with any changes made by the Government to the relevant portfolios.
Terms of reference
3. The Committee may examine, inquire into and report on the following matters concerning its portfolio areas:
(a) any matter referred to it by the House;
(b) any relevant policy, bill or subordinate legislation;
(c) any relevant financial matter; and
(d) any relevant portfolio issue.
4. Legislative scrutiny – The Committee, in this context, have a legislative scrutiny function that shall include evaluating the policy impact and consequences for each portfolio of any relevant bill introduced in Parliament, any existing legislation and any item of subordinate legislation.
5. Financial matters – The examination of financial matters by the Committee include the review of government financial management, by considering the financial documents, expenditure, performance and effectiveness of any relevant government department, agency, statutory body or state-owned corporation.
6. Examination of annual and other reports – The Committee may examine any matter in the annual report or other reports of any public body, including:
(a) the adequacy and accuracy of all financial and operational information;
(b) any matter arising from the annual report or other report concerning the efficient and effective achievement of the agency’s objectives.
7. Public works – The Committee may consider any matter concerning public works relating to the portfolio area.
Initiation of inquiries
8. The Committee may be referred an inquiry by resolution of the House or in writing from a Minister.
9. Except in the case of bills, the Committee also may initiate an inquiry on its own motion and report on any proposal, matter or thing relevant to its functions, including an annual report, other report or petition. The Committee can only consider a Bill on referral from the House, in accordance with standing order 323 (Legislation Committees).
10. The Committee take care not to duplicate an inquiry into any matters under examination by another portfolio or standing committee of the House, and any question arising in this connection may be referred to the House for determination.
Membership
11. The Committee consist of five members, comprising:
(a) three Government members (one of whom shall be the Chair);
(b) one Opposition member; and
(c) one Crossbench member.
12. The following members of the Legislative Assembly be appointed to serve on the Committee: Mr Clayton Barr, Mrs Judy Hannan, Mrs Sally Quinnell, Ms Maryanne Stuart, and Ms Kellie Sloane.
13. Mr Clayton Barr shall be the Chair of the Committee.
Sub-committees
14. The Committee have the power to appoint sub- committees, consisting of 3 members, and to refer to a sub-committee any of the matters which the Committee is empowered to consider. In this regard, the sub-committee may be responsible for conducting hearings, briefings, visits of inspections and other activities but cannot make decisions concerning the conduct of an inquiry, such as the selection of witnesses, and the Committee’s reports.
15. A sub-committee have at least one member supporting the Government and one member not supporting the Government, and a quorum for a sub-committee shall be at least two members.
Visits of inspection
16. The Committee have leave to make visits of inspection within the State of New South Wales and other States and Territories of Australia.
Contact us
Environment and Planning Committee