Introduction In the past few decades, environmentalism has been a global term and one of the major issues of concern around the world. Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, this issue has been a matter of public debate in Australia. Environmentalism can be considered as an environmental movement for protecting the environment by reducing human impact. This protection includes flora and fauna. In other words, this movement’s activities revolve around the human impact on the native flora and fauna (Pakulski and Tranter, 2004). Moreover, that environmental movement (environmentalism) is a public concern that has affected the town planning system in New South Wales and other Australian states is not an understatement. The rise of environmentalism in Australia is discussed in this essay, followed by focusing on its impact on environmental planning legislation in state and local government planning practice in New South Wales. This is demonstrated by focusing on the historic aspects of environmentalism and its stages. Impacts of Environmentalism on environmental Planning Legislation In terms of the rise of environmentalism in Australia, many have considered it an unusual movement. Pakulski and Tranter (2004) believe that Australian green activism, which focused strongly on conservations, was the main reason that made this movement unusual. In addition, there were various phases of environmentalism in Australia. Hutton and Connors (1999) divide the rise of environmentalism into two main waves. The first wave was from the 1860s until World War Two (the early twentieth century). This wave seemed to be a reaction to the environmental impact in that period. At the end of the twentieth century the development in Australia recorded a remarkable increase, which required more land and extended urban sprawl over green lands. Accordingly, the environmental conflicts as a result of the foreign investment boom renewed the movement of environmentalism, which was the second wave after World War Two to 1972 (Hutton and Connors, 1999). However, after the second wave, environmentalism was still considered a groups activity. In other words, in the 1970s the public concern was weak (Pakulski and Tranter, 2004). Then, after 1972 several campaigns had appeared. Hence, according to Hutton and Connors (1999), the period between 1973 and 1983 was known as “the campaigning movement”. In addition, these campaigns were basically intended to boost protection of the environment and preserve flora and fauna (wildlife). Issues surrounding the environment became a major concern to the populace in the post-war public opinion (McAllister, 1994). The campaign initiated to protect Franklin River is an example of that movement. This campaign was against erection of hydroelectric power station schemes across the river. It intended to stop damming the Franklin River in the South-West of Tasmania (Pakulski and Tranter, 2004). After the success of some of these campaigns, environmentalism had wide extension acceptance across myriad Australian states. Therefore, there was widespread public concern and awareness that epitomized in 1989 (Pakulski and Tranter, 2004). Then, the environmentalism got more political support from the government. This was a major boost to this movement. Thus, environmentalis