How to review a section 4.55(1) modification application

This training course has been developed for council staff that review and assess section 4.55(1) modification applications via the NSW Planning Portal.

Section 4.55(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 provides a streamlined pathway to modify a development consent to correct minor administrative errors or to make changes that have no environmental impact. This pathway is intended to provide a simple, efficient mechanism for addressing straightforward corrections or changes.

In 2025 reforms were introduced to improve clarity, efficiency and certainty in the modification framework, and this training session supports the introduction of those policy changes in the NSW Planning Portal.

This session will demonstrate how to:

• review the application for completeness

• request additional information

• accept or return an application.

Note: This session will not include any policy clarifications. These should be directed to the relevant team within the Department via email planningsystemreform@dphi.nsw.gov.au.

Course duration: 15 mins

For more information on these reforms, please view Modifications under section 4.55 of the EP&A Act.