The release of draft NSW Housing, Commercial & Industrial Codes by the Minister for Planning today will make a significant contribution to a more transparent planning system, according to the Property Council of Australia.
The Property Council’s NSW executive director Ken Morrison said the codes will alleviate the pain and confusion of going through the complete DA process for small business owners, homebuilders and renovators undertaking simple projects.
“The introduction of standardised exempt and complying development codes is simply common sense”.
“The current model is unworkable with more than 115 different sets in place across NSW and too many small matters required to go through a full DA assessment” Mr Morrison said.
“Other states have successfully implemented standard statewide codes including Western Australia back in 1991. There is no reason why NSW shouldn’t introduce practical reform that will reduce red tape and bring greater certainty to neighbourhood amenity”.
Mr Morrison also said that today’s announcement is timely given criticism of the government’s planning reform package centred on a lack of detail.
“The Property Council congratulates the government on releasing the detail of the first codes before the legislation goes to Parliament. And given the codes have been drafted with the assistance of councils and independent planning experts that should alleviate any claims that there has been insufficient consultation or input”.
“Importantly, there is an extended consultation period for public feedback. We will certainly be taking the draft codes back to our members and making recommendations where we believe improvement can be made” concluded Morrison.
Media contact:
Ken Morrison, NSW Executive Director, 0412 233 715 or 02 9336 6906
Caroline Lumley, NSW Public Affairs Manager, 0412 897 306 or (02) 9033 1971
