Residents across Fairfield could soon find themselves locked out of decisions about what gets built in their streets, with the NSW Government’s controversial planning shake-up drawing fierce opposition from local council.
UPDATED 4:13PM to include Facebook post link by Fairfield City Mayor
Frank Carbone has come out swinging against the State Government’s draft Community Participation Plan, warning it will strip residents of their fundamental right to have a say on developments that could change their neighbourhoods forever.
“This isn’t a community participation plan, it’s a non-participation plan,” Mayor Carbone said this week, as council prepares to lodge a formal submission opposing the changes.
What You Won’t Know Until It’s Too Late
Under the proposed rules, Fairfield residents will have zero opportunity to comment on a range of developments including shop-top housing, group homes, mid-rise residential apartments, and changes of use to commercial premises.
The first many residents will know about a new development next door? A notice from the builder saying construction starts in a week.
“The State Government is effectively taking away your right to speak up and to express your concerns,” Mayor Carbone said.
Currently, Fairfield City Council provides at least 14 days’ notice for residents to submit feedback on these types of developments. But under the new State Government rules, council would be prohibited from even letting residents know about the development applications.
The NSW Government claims the statewide Community Participation Plan will make it “easier” for people to have their say, with Planning Minister Paul Scully stating it provides “one consistent approach across NSW”. The draft plan is supposed to reframe the state’s approach to community consultation by putting the primary focus on strategic planning and major complex developments.
But councils like Fairfield argue the reality is very different on the ground.
Even Major Developments Face Shortened Consultation
It’s not just smaller projects that will see reduced community input. The opportunity to have a say on significant developments such as function centres, clubs, pubs and places of worship would be slashed from a minimum of 21 days down to just 14 days.
That’s a full week less for residents to understand complex proposals, consult with neighbours, and prepare meaningful submissions.
Under current NSW planning law, the notification period for advertised development is typically 14 days, or 28 days for integrated development and threatened species development. But councils have had the discretion to extend these periods when they know a development will have a greater impact on the local community.
The new statewide plan would strip away that discretion.
Why Fairfield Is Particularly Vulnerable
Mayor Carbone emphasised that the changes would hit Fairfield particularly hard given the city’s high levels of disadvantage and diversity.
“The State Government’s new non-participation plan cuts out meaningful community input, particularly in our City with high levels of disadvantage and diversity,” he said.
For many Fairfield families, their home represents their life’s work and biggest investment. The ability to have a say on what gets built nearby isn’t just bureaucratic red tape – it’s about protecting property values, neighbourhood character, and quality of life.
The proposed statewide Community Participation Plan would override every local council’s existing participation plan, imposing a standardised approach across NSW regardless of local circumstances.
Councils Push Back
Fairfield isn’t alone in its concerns. The draft plan has sparked opposition from multiple councils across NSW, with local governments warning that proposals for development can have significant impacts on residents and neighbourhoods.
Woollahra Council has also raised concerns about the proposed changes, urging residents to make submissions during the exhibition period. The debate reflects a broader tension between the State Government’s push to streamline planning approvals and councils’ desire to maintain meaningful community engagement.
The NSW Government argues the reforms will create consistency and reduce confusion, with the draft plan currently on exhibition until 3 June 2026. But critics say standardisation shouldn’t come at the cost of local democracy.
What Happens Next
Fairfield City Council will make a formal submission to the draft Community Participation Plan outlining its key concerns.
“I will always stand up for our residents and local families, and their right to have a say on developments that could impact their homes, their neighbourhoods and their way of life,” Mayor Carbone said.
The draft statewide Community Participation Plan and discussion paper remain on exhibition on the NSW Planning Portal until early June, giving residents and councils a narrow window to voice their objections.
For Fairfield residents worried about losing their voice, the message from council is clear: speak up now, while you still can.
The State Government maintains its reforms will make community participation easier and more consistent. But for families in Fairfield and across western Sydney, the question remains – what good is consistency if it means being consistently ignored?
View Statement from Fairfield City Council
Backroom deals done dirt cheap, developers get their wish, result is already locked in??