Notice Decoder

Identify the notice you have received.

Councils, planning authorities, the EPA, NRAR, Transport for NSW and acquiring authorities issue different notices under different laws. Find yours to see what it is, who issues it and the law it comes under, then what to do next.

Type words from the notice’s title

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46 kinds of notice

Council orders & local government6

Notice of intention to give a development control orderCouncil orders & local governmentLocal council or planning authority
A preliminary notice proposing a development control order and inviting representations before the order is given.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), Schedule 5
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Development control orderCouncil orders & local governmentLocal council or planning authority
An order requiring or prohibiting specified development, use, building, safety or compliance action.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), Schedule 5
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Stop-work, cease-use or demolition orderCouncil orders & local governmentLocal council or planning authority
An order requiring work or use to stop, or requiring demolition, removal or rectification.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), Schedule 5
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Fire-safety order or noticeCouncil orders & local governmentLocal council or fire-safety authority
A notice or order concerning fire-safety measures, building upgrading or immediate safety risks.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) and applicable regulations
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Local Government Act order or notice of intentionCouncil orders & local governmentLocal council
An order or proposed order concerning premises, public health, waste, animals, water, sewerage or another local-government function.
Comes under: Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), Chapter 7
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Council compliance-cost or works-recovery noticeCouncil orders & local governmentLocal council
A demand seeking the costs of investigation, compliance or work undertaken by council.
Comes under: The enabling Act identified in the notice
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.

Planning decisions & compliance6

Development application refusalPlanning decisions & complianceConsent authority or local council
A formal determination refusing a development application.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Deemed refusal or delayed determinationPlanning decisions & complianceConsent authority or local council
An application that may be treated as refused because it was not determined within the applicable assessment period.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Development consent with unacceptable conditionsPlanning decisions & complianceConsent authority or local council
A consent granted subject to conditions that may materially affect feasibility, design, timing or use.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Modification application refusal or conditionsPlanning decisions & complianceConsent authority or local council
A decision refusing or conditioning an application to modify an existing development consent.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), section 4.55
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
CDC, construction, occupation or subdivision certificate decisionPlanning decisions & complianceCouncil, certifier or consent authority
A refusal, restriction, suspension or compliance issue concerning a statutory development certificate.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Planning compliance investigation or information requestPlanning decisions & complianceCouncil, Department of Planning or other planning authority
Correspondence alleging unauthorised development, breach of consent or requiring information before enforcement action.
Comes under: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.

EPA & pollution regulation11

Clean-up noticeEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA, council or another appropriate regulatory authority
A notice requiring specified clean-up action in response to a pollution incident.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), section 91
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Prevention noticeEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA, council or another appropriate regulatory authority
A notice requiring preventive action where an activity has been or is being carried on in an environmentally unsatisfactory manner.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), section 96
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Prohibition notice or direction to cease an activityEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA or responsible Minister
A direction requiring an activity to cease or be carried out only under specified conditions.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Noise control notice, direction or abatement instrumentEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA, council or other authorised officer
A notice or direction regulating offensive noise from premises, plant, vehicles or activities.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Notice requiring information, records or answersEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA or another regulatory authority
A compulsory notice requiring information, documents, records or answers as part of an investigation.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), sections 191–193
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Interview request or compelled attendance noticeEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA or investigating authority
A request or requirement to attend an interview or answer questions during an environmental investigation.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Penalty notice or fineEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA, council or another authorised authority
A penalty notice alleging an environmental offence.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) and applicable regulations
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Compliance-cost noticeEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA, council or another appropriate regulatory authority
A notice requiring payment of costs associated with monitoring or securing compliance.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Environment protection licence decision or variationEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA
A decision concerning the grant, conditions, variation, suspension, revocation or surrender of an environment protection licence.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Court attendance notice, prosecution or civil-enforcement warningEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA, council or prosecuting authority
A threatened or commenced prosecution or civil-enforcement proceeding concerning environmental obligations.
Comes under: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) and Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW)
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Contaminated-land investigation, management or maintenance orderEPA & pollution regulationNSW EPA
A notice, order or declaration concerning investigation, management, remediation or ongoing maintenance of contaminated land.
Comes under: Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (NSW)
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.

NRAR & water regulation11

Formal warning, show-cause letter or investigation noticeNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
NRAR correspondence alleging or investigating a breach of NSW water law.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) and Natural Resources Access Regulator Act 2017 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Direction concerning waste of waterNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A written direction requiring measures to prevent or address waste of water.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), section 325
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Metering installation, replacement or maintenance directionNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A direction requiring specified measures concerning water metering equipment.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), section 326
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Stop-work order for a water management work or controlled activityNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
An order prohibiting, discontinuing or restricting construction, use or a controlled activity.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), sections 327–328
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Direction to remove, modify or render a water management work ineffectiveNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A direction concerning an unapproved water management work, including removal, modification or dismantling.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), section 329
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Temporary stop-work order to protect the public interestNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A temporary order prohibiting or restricting use of a work or the carrying out of an activity.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), section 330
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Direction to protect or rehabilitate a water source or waterfront landNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A direction requiring measures to prevent, minimise, repair or rehabilitate adverse effects on a water source or waterfront land.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), section 333
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Direction to protect the environment, public health or basic landholder rightsNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A direction requiring specified measures where water management conduct threatens the environment, public health or basic landholder rights.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), section 331
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Water-law report, records or compliance-audit requirementNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
A direction or notice requiring a report, records, monitoring material or a compliance audit concerning water management conduct.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), sections 326A and 334, as applicable
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Water access licence or approval decisionNRAR & water regulationWaterNSW, NRAR or the responsible Minister
A decision concerning a water access licence, water supply work, water use, controlled activity or aquifer-interference approval.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Water-law penalty notice, civil charge or prosecutionNRAR & water regulationNatural Resources Access Regulator
An enforcement action alleging a breach of NSW water law.
Comes under: Water Management Act 2000 (NSW)
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.

Roads, access & infrastructure5

Roads Act section 138 consent refusal, conditions or compliance actionRoads, access & infrastructureCouncil, Transport for NSW or another roads authority
A decision or compliance action about carrying out work in, on or over a public road, including opening, occupying or connecting to the road.
Comes under: Roads Act 1993 (NSW), section 138 and the instrument identified in the notice
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Notice of entry for survey, investigation or road workRoads, access & infrastructureTransport for NSW or another roads authority
A notice that a roads authority or authorised person proposes to enter land for investigation, survey or road purposes.
Comes under: Roads Act 1993 (NSW), Part 11 (entry to land) and the power identified in the notice
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Temporary occupation, access or works noticeRoads, access & infrastructureTransport for NSW or another roads authority
A notice or proposal to occupy or use land temporarily for road or infrastructure works.
Comes under: Roads Act 1993 (NSW) or the project-specific enabling Act identified in the notice
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Proposed road closure, dedication, opening or realignment noticeRoads, access & infrastructureRoads authority, council or Crown Lands
A proposal or decision affecting the legal status, alignment or public use of a road or road reserve.
Comes under: Roads Act 1993 (NSW)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Utility or infrastructure access noticeRoads, access & infrastructureElectricity, water, telecommunications or infrastructure provider
A statutory or contractual notice seeking access for inspection, maintenance, construction or operation of infrastructure.
Comes under: The utility-specific enabling Act and any easement or agreement identified in the notice
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.

Compulsory acquisition3

Proposed Acquisition NoticeCompulsory acquisitionAcquiring authority
Formal notice that an authority proposes to acquire land by compulsory process.
Comes under: Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW), section 11
Time limit
A Proposed Acquisition Notice (s 11) generally must run for at least 90 days before the land can be acquired (s 13). It does not start the period for objecting to compensation.
Acquisition notice or gazettalCompulsory acquisitionAcquiring authority
Notice that land has been compulsorily acquired and vested in the acquiring authority.
Comes under: Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW), sections 19–20
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Compensation notice, offer or Valuer-General determinationCompulsory acquisitionAcquiring authority or Valuer-General
A notice stating an offer or determination of compensation following acquisition.
Comes under: Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW)
Time limit
Under the Just Terms Act, a person who has claimed compensation may object to the amount offered within 90 days after receiving the compensation notice (s 66). If you neither accept nor object in that time, you are taken to have accepted it (s 45); a late objection is heard only for good cause (s 66(3)).

Biodiversity, heritage & Commonwealth4

Heritage stop-work, repair or compliance orderBiodiversity, heritage & CommonwealthHeritage Council, Heritage NSW or responsible Minister
A heritage instrument restricting work or requiring protection, repair or compliance action.
Comes under: Heritage Act 1977 (NSW)
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
Biodiversity, native-vegetation or clearing compliance noticeBiodiversity, heritage & CommonwealthBiodiversity regulator, Local Land Services or responsible agency
A notice or direction alleging unlawful clearing or requiring ecological protection, remediation or compliance.
Comes under: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW) or the instrument identified in the notice
Timing
Act promptly. Notices of this kind often carry short time limits or immediate obligations.
EPBC Act information request, compliance notice or approval actionBiodiversity, heritage & CommonwealthCommonwealth environment department or Minister
Commonwealth correspondence concerning referral, approval conditions, audit, compliance or enforcement.
Comes under: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.
Another notice, order, direction, refusal or official letterBiodiversity, heritage & CommonwealthAny government authority or regulator
Use this where the instrument is not listed or you are not yet sure which authority or statutory pathway applies.
Comes under: The enabling Act and instrument require identification
Timing
Time limits commonly apply. Check the dates on the notice.

The Notice Decoder is part of the Matter Navigator. For a full structured briefing across planning, environment, acquisition and local government matters, start the Matter Navigator →

What usually happens next, by notice: EPA notices, council notices and orders and Proposed Acquisition Notices.

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