Planning systems across the nation are far from efficient according to new research from the Residential Development Council (RDC) and the Property Council of Australia (Property Council).
The Development Assessment Report Card 2012 identifies progress on development assessment reform across the states and territories. It also provides snapshots of each jurisdiction’s planning system and action plans for delivering further reform.
The Development Assessment Forum (DAF) established 10 Leading Practice Principles which are designed to improve and simplify the development assessment process.
The Northern Territory scored a nation-topping 7.5 out of 10. This score is up from 7.3 out of 10 in 2010.
The individual performance of the states/territories in terms of their adoption of the DAF principles is provided in the table below:
|
|
Previous (2010) system score
out of 10 |
Current (2012) system score
out of 10 |
|
NT |
7.3 |
7.5 |
|
WA |
5.3 |
7.1 |
|
SA |
6.8 |
6.5 |
|
ACT |
6.2 |
6.5 |
|
VIC |
6.2 |
6.2 |
|
NSW |
5.2 |
5.9 |
|
QLD |
5.8 |
5.8 |
|
TAS |
5.2 |
5.4 |
The success of the Territory’s planning system lays in its straightforward approach said Brendan Dunn, the Property Council’s NT Division President.
“The Northern Territory scored highly in the Report Card due to its system’s simplicity and ability to move applications through the assessment process.”
“The system remains today the most prompt of all state and territory planning structures,” he said.
Most notably, 100% of all development applications are lodged electronically through Development Applications online.
“Not only does this significantly simplify development assessments, but it also allows the public to view applications on exhibition and lodge submissions online,” said Mr Dunn.
If the Territory is to reach its potential score there are three key areas for reform:
- 1. Finalisation of the Greater Darwin Plan and an integrated planning strategy – this will incorporate strategic advice on future land requirements across the industrial, commercial and residential sectors, providing industry with certainty as to how and where the city will need to grow.
- 2. The introduction of further fast track mechanisms to reduce assessment times for ‘low risk’ developments.
- 3. The introduction of Area Plans in the NT Planning Scheme as anticipated, especially for regional NT
“It is critical that the Territory Government continues its momentum for planning reform and in particular strategic planning,” said Mr Dunn.
DAF Leading Practice Principles:
The report card is based on the 10 DAF Leading Practice Principles:
1. Effective policy development
2. Objective rules and tests
3. Built-in improvement mechanisms
4. Track-based assessment
5. A single point of assessment
6. Notification
7. Private sector involvement
8. Professional determination for most applications
9. Applicant appeals
10. Third-party appeals
