State Significant Infrastructure
Development of a large scale, economic value or that carries potential social or environmental impacts can be deemed to have State significance.
State significant infrastructure (SSI) projects are generally activities that are carried out by public authorities that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment and includes transport and services developments with effects beyond its local area, including:
- rail infrastructure
- road infrastructure
- water storage and treatment plants
- wharves and boating facilities
- pipelines
- some developments in national parks.
The above infrastructure types are considered State significant if it is above a certain size or capital investment value or is in a sensitive environmental location.
The full list of SSI infrastructure types can be found in schedules 3 and 4 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021.
Certain SSI projects can be declared as critical State significant infrastructure (CSSI) if they are determined as essential to the State by the Minister for Planning.
Some examples of CSSI are:
- Pacific Highway Upgrade
- WestConnex
- Snowy 2.0
- Sydney Metro Rail.
The Declaration of SSI and CSSI (2021) guide sets out the general principles and key reasons for the Minister to declare development as SSI or CSSI.
Who determines State significant infrastructure applications?
The Minister is the approval authority for State significant infrastructure (SSI) applications. However, the Minister may delegate power to make decisions to senior officers of the department.
For more information about delegations please visit the delegated decisions page.
All critical state significant infrastructure (CSSI) proposals are determined by the Minister for Planning
State Significant Infrastructure Guidelines
The State Significant Infrastructure Guidelines provide a detailed explanation of the SSI process and sets out clear expectations about the quality of environmental assessment documentation.
The EP&A Regulation requires SSI proponents to have regard to the guidelines when preparing EISs, responding to submissions, amending applications, and seeking to modify SSI approvals.
For further information on the guidelines visit the NSW Planning website.
Find out more about how projects are classified as SSI or CSSI and the different types of SSI projects
Find out more about how the merits of SSI projects are assessed before a final decision is made.
Find out more about how SSI approvals can be modified.