Policy Review - Draft Social Impact Assessment Policy

At Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Ordinary Council Meeting held on 17 March 2022, Council resolved to place the Draft Social Impact Assessment Policy on exhibition for a period of 28 days.

The Social Impact Assessment Policy was last reviewed by Council in June 2010. The purpose of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is to predict the social impact of development or land use change, be it positive or negative. The SIA process also encourages applicants to explore how any negative outcome of development can be mitigated, minimised or completely resolved, which in turn will better inform decision making within Council and better social outcomes for the community. 

In implementing the SIA Policy Council seeks to: 

• Ensure proposals are considered in accordance with Section 4.15 of the Environment Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and the Hastings Local Environmental Plan, Port Macquarie- Hastings Development Control Plan 2013 and Policies 
• Promote development activity that benefits the community without significant adverse social impact 
• Ensure the community’s needs are met in an equitable and inclusive way that enhances the area’s environmental, social and economic qualities 
• Ensure adequate community participation in any proposal that may impact them in accordance with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Engagement Policy 
• Assist with quadruple bottom line accountability 
• To provide guidance to the industry as to what developments require a Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

From the review of the Social Impact Assessment Policy, the following minor amendments are recommended to be made:

• Formatting to form a more logical flow
• Refined the information to shorten the policy
• Information in relation to procedure removed from policy with a formal procedure document to be created
• Added when an SIA should be undertaken
• Update organisational information

The Draft Policy will be on exhibition from Wednesday 23 March 2022 to Thursday 21 April 2022.

Have Your Say

Submissions can be made by

• review the Draft Social Impact Assessment Policy and complete the submission form below;
• emailing to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au; or
• posting to:
  Chief Executive Officer
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
  PO Box 84
  Port Macquarie NSW 2444

All submissions must be received by close of business on Thursday 21 April 2022.