A new draft of legislative amendments intends to streamline planning procedures and simplify other operational aspects of the Integrated Planning Act 1997, first announced in August 1998.
The draft Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2001 is intended to improve the Integrated Development Assessment System through streamlining some procedures which are not adding value to the development assessment system, and will endeavour to simplify some other operational aspects of the Integrated Planning Act (IPA).
The proposed changes will be made available on the Department of Local Government and Planning’s website (www.dlgp.qld.gov.au), however the draft legislation has not yet been prepared to address the issues associatied with Infrastructure Charges Plans (ICPs), although the Department said it hoped to include them in this round of updating.The proposed changes include:
- changing the definition of “use” to include “ancillary” uses, a term which is well supported by judicial authority, in addition to carrying out any works associated with the use;
- updating “material change of use” to refer to an increase in intensity of use and introducing an expemption for activities carried out on premises for less than 28 days in a calendar year;
- using one definition of “work” to include building work, plumbing work, drainage work, excavating or filling premises, etc;
- removing the mandatory requirement for planning schemes to include performance indicators to assess the achievement of desired environmental outcomes;
- clarification of the designation of community infrastructure by a Minister of Local Government and the process to be followed in each case; and
- building work and operational works for subdivisions are no longer listed in Schedule 8 as assessable development.
The Department of Local Government and Planning said it hoped to have the bill finalised for Parliament by late-October.
In light of earlier comments on the operation of IPA, the Property Council will be reviewing the draft legislation.
For any queries, please contact:
Charlotte Fitzgerald, (07) 3229 0666
