Development Applications are assessed by different panels depending on their size and complexity, regional significance, or other special considerations.  If an application is refused the applicant can ask for a review of the determination. The review is assessed by a different panel or by another authority.

As of August 2020, the NSW Government made changes to the way Local Planning Panels work to make them more efficient and to improve the assessment and determination times of development applications and maintain panel oversight of sensitive and contentious applications. Further information on the changes effective 1 August 2020 are available on the NSW Planning website and NSW Planning Information Sheet.