Tuesday 23 May 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Property Council welcomes Strong Start Cadetship to speed up planning system
The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement for NSW councils to receive $25,000 to pay young planners’ tuition fees under the ‘Strong Start Cadetship’ in order to address the state’s skilled planner shortage and to speed up the planning system.
Property Council’s Acting Western Sydney Director David White said the Property Council had long advocated for such an initiative.
“This is welcoming news to see the government working to improve and incentivise the flow of student planners into local councils to help bridge the resourcing gap developing at a local government level and consider the provision of dedicated planners to support district planning panels to expedite projects that are of high economic value,” Mr White said.
“It is well known that NSW state’s planning system is Australia’s slowest system of building approvals for all types of homes – from greenfield sites to detached houses, townhouses and high-rise apartments.”
Mr White said in addition, the NSW Government should add Urban Planners to the NSW Skills List.
“This would identify the qualifications eligible for a government subsidy under Smart and Skilled and work with the Federal Government to ensure the migration system remains aligned to the sector’s evolving needs, especially as we are about to face a migration boom,” Mr White said.
ENDS
Media contact: Aidan Green | 04910 300 28 | [email protected]