Neighbours will no longer find out about a development application (DA) next door or be given the chance to object under statewide changes to how residents find out about developments in their area. With some exceptions. The change comes from NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), and councils have little say on the change, however, Northern Beaches Council confirmed to Manly Observer they will continue to list DA’s on their online DA tracker at the time of lodgement. Applicants just won’t be required to notify neighbours or exhibit 32 specified types of development. The NSW Government’s new statewide Community Participation Plan (CPP) commenced on 1 September 2026, replacing more than 100 separate council-by-council participation plans with a single set of rules for NSW. Manly Observer first...