Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have opened internationally for the first round of projects to be considered by the NSW government’s new Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) which began operations on 1 October. The first EOI round, for projects valued at AUD 1 billion or more, is open until 27 October and the IDA has already said future rounds will be scheduled.
The new agency’s role is to cut red tape and coordinate actions across government to accelerate data centre projects, among other large infrastructure projects. The IDA will feature a dedicated planning assessments team housed in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and will receive the support of an investment taskforce from within the Premier’s Department. The latter will operate on a multi-agency basis.
The first round of EOIs will accelerate approvals for major projects aligned with government priorities, focusing on advanced technology and energy, including data centres, renewable energy and energy security projects, as well as hotel developments critical to visitor economy growth. The IDA, modelled off the successful Housing Delivery Authority, is expected to assist around 30 large projects per year, bringing forward up to AUD 50 billion of investment into NSW.
A hypothetical AUD 1.2 billion hyperscale data centre proposal illustrates how the NSW Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) could assist major projects by coordinating early engagement between agencies, utilities and councils to resolve complex planning and infrastructure challenges.
While the site is appropriately zoned and aligned with state digital economy goals, potential issues such as electricity network capacity, water and wastewater servicing, planning standard variations and road access could delay progress. Through strategic facilitation, the IDA could streamline approvals, align servicing strategies, and unlock delivery of this high-value development.
The IDA was announced in the 2025-26 NSW Budget with AUD 17.7 million to support its work to drive investment, innovation and growth.