Agencies involved

The Department of Planning covers the following area:

• The planning and development control functions in NSW.

This department combines sections of the old Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability.

The Department is responsible for:

• Infrastructure planning and coordination.
• Transport safety, including investigations.
• Land transport.
• Civil aviation and airports.
• Transport security.
• Delivery of regional and rural specific services.
• Maritime transport including shipping.
• Regional development.
• Matters relating to local government.
• Major projects facilitation.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC):

• Works towards a healthy environment cared for and enjoyed by the whole NSW community;
• Manages the state's natural resources, including biodiversity, soils and natural vegetation;
• Manages natural and cultural heritage across the state's land and waters;
• Acts to minimise the impacts of climate change;
• Promotes sustainable consumption, resource use and waste management;
• Regulates activities to protect the environment; and
• Conducts biodiversity, plant, environmental and cultural heritage research to improve decision making.

The departments of Mineral Resources, NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries and State Forests of NSW are under the banner of NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Specifically, the Department of Primary Industries objectives of NSW Fisheries are to conserve, develop and share the fishery resources of the State for the benefit of present and future generations. In particular:

• To conserve fish stocks and protect key fish habitats.
• To conserve threatened species, populations and ecological communities of fish and marine vegetation.
• To promote ecologically sustainable development, including the conservation of biological diversity.
• Provide social and economic benefits for the wider community of New South Wales.

Approval authority for activities that impact or potentially impact on non indigenous heritage items.

The Byron Shire covers an area of 566 square kilometres and is responsible for a community of 29,083 residents as well as an estimated 1.7 million tourists who visit the Byron district each year.

The RTA manages 17,623 kilometres of State Roads including 3105 kilometres of National Highways. This includes facilities such as traffic lights, roundabouts, signs and linemarking.

It also manages nearly 3000 kilometres of regional roads and local roads in the unincorporated area of NSW where there are no local councils.

It provides financial assistance to local councils to manage 18,497 kilometres of regional roads and, to a limited extent, local roads, through funding and other support. Other areas of RTA interest include 4787 bridges, major culverts and tunnels and nine vehicular ferries.

• Improving road safety.
• Managing the road network to achieve consistent travel times.