Social impact assessments in NSW: what they are, when you need one, and how to get it right

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:51:48 +0000

In NSW, the “social” side of a development or infrastructure job is often where delays, objections, or redesigns show up. Not always because the project is wrong, but because the impacts weren’t thought through in a way that felt fair, local, and practical. A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a structured way to do that thinking. It identifies who may be affected, how they may be affected, and what you’ll do to reduce harm and strengthen benefits. The goal isn’t a glossy story. It’s a clear, defensible assessment that helps approvals and helps delivery. It’s not just paperwork.