The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is being split up to focus more on climate and housing. 

Effective from January 1 next year, the restructured departments - named the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water and the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure - are expected to provide a sharper focus on two critical areas of concern for the state.

Kiersten Fishburn, who recently assumed the role of DPE secretary, will continue as the secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure. 

The Office of Energy and Climate Change, currently housed within the Treasury department, will be integrated into these new departments.

Further machinery of government (MOG) changes are anticipated following the Budget announcement scheduled for September 19, with all MOG shifts to be outlined in the 2024-25 Budget.

A comprehensive review of the public sector is also currently underway.

NSW Premier Chris Minns says the changes align the state government with the interests of the community. 

“The new Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water pulls together the collective environmental expertise of government into one place – creating a team ready to tackle one of our biggest challenges in energy security,” Minns said.

“The changes announced today will also provide a renewed focus and deep expertise to address the housing crisis.”

Importantly, there will be no alterations to ministerial portfolios as a result of these MOG changes.

The Minns government has previously divided the Department of Premier and Cabinet into the Premier’s Department and the Cabinet Office.

The move in NSW bears similarities to the Australian federal government's establishment of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water in its efforts to address pressing environmental and energy challenges.