Proposed reforms to the State’s planning regime offer the promise of a more simple, efficient and transparent system, according to the Property Council of Australia.
The NSW Government’s Green Paper released today outlines a bold overhaul of the strategic planning and development assessment systems.
“A root-and-branch transformation of the system is needed to reposition NSW as a sound place to invest,” NSW Executive Director Glenn Byres said today.
“The planning system is one of the few significant micro-economic levers available to the Government as it seeks to restore the State’s economic prosperity.
“The Green Paper promotes far-reaching reforms that can help build a fairer and simpler system – and create clear rules for both the community and investors.
“These include front loading consultation, entrenching depoliticised development assessment, and allowing more code assessable development.
“It rightly places greater faith in the value of good strategic planning and seeks to constrain politics in plan making and development assessment.
“The new regime also looks to piece together the missing link in previous planning regimes – the relationship between project and infrastructure planning.”
Mr Byres said however some reform options still need to be refined – and a strong focus on implementation is needed.
“NSW still lacks a ‘cop on the beat’ – enforcing the new system and ensuring recalcitrant councils and agencies play ball,” Mr Byres said.
“The size of the task attached to the overhaul should not be under-estimated and constant vigilance is needed to ensure the system doesn’t slip back into bad habits.”
Media contact: Glenn Byres, NSW Executive Director, 0419 695 435.
