--- title: "Public authority decision-making in NSW" description: "Advice for NSW councils and public authorities on statutory powers, delegations, evidence, representations and reasons in land and regulatory matters." canonical: https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/public-authority-decisions/ language: en-AU last_updated: 2026-10-21 source_revision: 1296179e97249d22fa332459637b866a57239ff0 publisher: "Stone & Pillar Legal" --- Council & regulatory # Your authority needs to make a sound statutory decision An effective decision process begins with the power being exercised and the evidence needed to exercise it. We advise councils and public authorities on decision-making within our planning, environment, land and regulatory practice areas. - Jurisdiction New South Wales - Page type Issue overview On this page - [This page may be relevant if:](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/public-authority-decisions/#for-you-if) - [What this usually means](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/public-authority-decisions/#what-it-means) - [What commonly matters](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/public-authority-decisions/#what-matters) - [How we help](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/public-authority-decisions/#how-we-help) If you have received a decision or notice, a strict review or appeal period may already be running. Confirm it promptly and do not rely on an online enquiry. ## This page may be relevant if: - Your authority is preparing a notice, order or regulatory decision - A delegation or decision-making procedure needs review - Representations or conflicting evidence raise legal questions ## What this usually means - Identify the statutory power, its purpose and the person authorised to exercise it before settling the decision process. - The applicable legislation and circumstances determine procedural requirements. Required notices, representations and relevant considerations need to be addressed in the decision record. - A clear record should connect the evidence, statutory criteria and reasons. The availability of enforcement action does not make every proposed response appropriate. ## What commonly matters 1. ### Power and delegation Check the instrument conferring the power and any delegation, conditions or limits. Identify which steps require the decision-maker's own assessment. 2. ### Evidence and fairness Separate established facts, disputed material and further enquiries. Plan any required opportunity to respond before finalising the decision. 3. ### Reasons and implementation Record the actual basis for the decision and settle clear, workable terms. Consider service, compliance monitoring and potential review proceedings. ## How we help - Advise on statutory powers, delegations and process - Review proposed notices, representations and decision records - Assess enforcement options and litigation risks This page is general information only and is not legal advice. It may not be current, and how the law applies depends on the specific facts. For advice on your situation, contact Stone & Pillar Legal. ## Public authority decision-making Identify the authority, proposed decision and stage of the process so we can check scope and conflicts. The preliminary call covers - What has happened and the decision you need to make - The authority or other party involved, so we can check for conflicts - Any date stated in the documents you have received - Whether the firm can assist, and what a scoped first step would involve Tell us which document you received, who issued it and any date it states. Keep it to hand for the call. [Speak with a lawyer](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?issue=public-authority-decisions#schedule) [Request a call back](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?issue=public-authority-decisions#enquiry) Complimentary A 30-minute preliminary call. No legal advice is provided. Neither booking nor the call engages the firm. Prefer to talk? [(02) 8014 5817 ](tel:+61280145817)· [Email](mailto:enquiries@stonepillar.com.au) Your enquiry will be reviewed by Michael Themis , Principal Solicitor of Stone & Pillar Legal. ## What to bring - The relevant power and delegation instruments - The proposed decision and evidence supporting it - The procedural chronology and representations received [Related practice area Administrative law and government enforcement](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/administrative-law/) ## Related situations - [Council & regulatory An authority is proposing an adverse decision Preparing NSW show-cause responses and representations about proposed government decisions, including evidence, statutory criteria and workable alternatives.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/administrative-representations/) - [Council & regulatory A regulator has contacted you NSW government investigations: information requests, interviews, records, statutory powers and the relationship between a response and possible enforcement.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/government-investigations/) - [Council & regulatory You question the legality of a government decision NSW judicial review of government decisions affecting land and business: statutory power, process, remedies, evidence and the limits of a successful challenge.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/judicial-review/) [All situations](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/) Where to start ## Discuss public authority decision-making Tell us which statutory decision or enforcement process needs legal input. We can discuss the proposed scope, decision timetable and conflict checks. [Request a call back](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?issue=public-authority-decisions#enquiry) [Speak with a lawyer](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?issue=public-authority-decisions#schedule) 30 minutes · Phone or Teams · No charge Complimentary 30-minute preliminary call. No legal advice is provided. Neither booking nor the call engages the firm; we act only once we confirm in writing. --- The information and tools on this website are general information only, are not legal advice, and do not create a solicitor–client relationship. Please don’t send confidential or privileged material until we confirm in writing that we can act. Do tell us any deadline or response date; it remains your responsibility until we confirm in writing that we act for you. 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