Thursday 19 October 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Vibrancy reforms offer blueprint for planning system
The Property Council has welcomed the important changes in the 24-Hour Economy Legislation (Vibrancy Reforms) Amendment Bill 2023, which includes reforms to ensure the planning system can support flexible and creative use of public spaces.
“This is an example of the ability of the state government to blow the cobwebs off outdated and duplicative regulations in the planning system that are getting in the way of people enjoying our cities to the fullest extent possible,” NSW Deputy Executive Director Ms Helen Machalias said.
“This legislation offers a blueprint for how the planning system could be modernised in other areas through a commonsense approach to balancing the needs of various groups, using more nuanced compliance tools rather than blanket regulation and ensuring local councils can respond to community need, in this case by ensuring the flexibility of outdoor space that people embraced during COVID remains in place.”
“The NSW Division provided input to these reforms prior to the draft Bill going to Cabinet, and we support the focus of the office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner on reducing red tape for communities and industry,” she said.
Ms Machalias said sustaining CBDs as the engine room of the Australian economy requires ongoing investment and improved cooperation between the government and the private sector.
“It is also pleasing to see recognition that CBDs exist outside Greater Sydney, with some much-needed focus on the night-time economies of Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast” Ms Machalias said.
“This is a critical time to recommit to our efforts to activate CBDs, with the slowdown of the CBD following the pandemic still being felt across hospitality, retail, the service industry and private business,”
“Following the NSW Budget, we are renewing our call for the NSW Government to establish a CBD recovery and revitalisation industry partnership to advise government on the practical steps to continue the ongoing renewal of the CBD” she said.
ENDS
Media contact: Helen Machalias 0417 431 868 | [email protected]