The HBEP regularly makes submissions to different inquiries and reviews. Selected HBEP submissions can be found on this page. If you have any questions about our submissions, please contact us.

WestConnex – M4 East

West Connex is a major government roadway infrastructure scheme for Sydney.  HBEP has made a submission on the proposal arguing that a health impact assessment (HIA) needs to be undertaken as part of the WestConnex assessment. Read our submission here .

A New Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney

The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure is developing a new metropolitan strategy for Sydney. The review process started in June 2012 when the Department released a Discussion Paper Sydney over the next 20 years . A Draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney 2031 was subsequently released in March 2013.

Please click here to read the HBEP’s submission on the Discussion paper (June 2012).

Please click here to read the HBEP’s submission on the Draft Strategy (June 2013).

The Review of the NSW Planning System

The NSW Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the NSW Planning System. Click here for more information. The Review process commenced in July 2011 with extensive consultations across the state. The second phase of the Review focussed on an Issues Paper covering the ideas and feedback received during the initial consultation phase. A Green Paper entitled A New Planning System for NSW was published by the NSW government in July 2012. Access the Green Paper here . In April 2013, the NSW government published the White Paper, also entitled A New Planning System for NSW , and draft planning legislation. Click here to access the White Paper. You can also find information on the Exposure Planning Bill 2013 and Exposure Planning Administration Bill 2013 here .

Please click here to read the HBEP's submission to the first phase of the NSW Planning System Review (November 2011).

Please click here to read the HBEP's submission to the second phase of the NSW Planning System Review (March 2012).

Please click here to read the HBEP's submission on the Green Paper A New Planning System for NSW (September 2012).

Please click here to read the HBEP's submission on the White Paper A New Planning System for NSW (June 2013).

Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney 2036

The NSW Government has released the Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036. This Plan will shape the future growth of Sydney - Australia’s major global city. Click here to read more. The Metropolitan Plan incorporates healthy planning issues in its Strategic Direction H - 'Achieving Equity, Liveability and Social Inclusion'. The HBEP's submission on the Sydney Metropolitan Plan Review advocated for the inclusion of healthy planning principles and initiatives.

Click here to read the HBEP submission to the Metropolitan Strategy (May 2010).

National Urban Policy

In 2011 the Federal Government's Department of Infrastructure and Transport released its National Urban Policy titled Our Cities, Our Future: A National Urban Policy for a Productive, Sustainable and Liveable Future . The Policy includes initiatives that support the development of healthy built environments in Australia’s urban areas.

Click here to read the HBEP submission that was considered in the framing of the National Urban Policy (March 2011).

Review of NSW Strata and Community Scheme Laws

The NSW State Government is currently conducting a review of strata and community scheme laws. Click here to read the discussion paper. The HBEP made a submission to this review. Our submission focused on how strata living can enhance individual health while respecting the needs of the broader community in close residential living. We specifically discussed the health benefits of companion animals and the restrictive nature of pet ownership in some strata titled residential developments. Click here to read the HBEP’s submission.

If you are interested in the health benefits of companion animals more broadly, the Petcare Information Advisory Board (PIAS) is a great resource.

Smoke Free UNSW Campus

To reduce the exposure of staff, students, visitors and contractors to environmental tobacco smoke, from July 1st the whole campus of the University of New South Wales will become smoke free. The HBEP has supported this move of the University by a submission (April 2012) which can be found here .