The LNPs First 100 Day Action Plan has now been completed. With the construction industry being one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy that the LNP campaigned so heavily on, it is not surprising that the 100 day action plan is full of changes to assist and stimulate the construction sector.
More than anything, the 100 day action plan for full of “undoing” rather than “doing”. “Undoing” aligns well with the many stated intents of cutting red tape and regulation to make Queensland more competitive with a better planning system. With respect to planning, much has been made of the appointment of Assistant Minister Ian Walker MP as the new “go to” person for the construction industry and Ian’s strong mandate to lead planning reform. To name a few, the reform agenda includes:
amendments to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 by Christmas;
an overhaul of state interests and referral processes in IDAS to streamline development assessment;
re-establishing the position of Regional Plans throughout the state to direct planning and land use;
the introduction of a temporary State Planning Policy for economic development; and
transfer of powers from the ULDA and South Bank Corporation back to local government.
Over the last two weeks there has been significant reform and reorganisation within the State government itself. The new names, departments and their role in supporting the industry will become more familiar in due course. If the first 100 day action plan is anything to go by, the remainder of the term will continue to deliver a number of changes that both support and foster the industry.
