Home Property Australia 2016 a year in pursuit of planning reform

2016 a year in pursuit of planning reform

  • December 01, 2016

2016 a year in pursuit of planning reform

As 2016 winds to a close, planning reform is moving up a gear with the NSW Government generating an end of year flurry of activity:

  • releasing of draft District Plans;
  • undertaking consultations to improve Environmental Impact Assessments;
  • releasing a proposed code for Medium Density Housing; and,
  • releasing a draft Ministerial Direction, Practice Note and Planning Circular to improve voluntary planning agreements (VPAs).

A draft exposure Bill to amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the EP&A Act) to deliver long awaited reforms to the NSW planning system is set to be released prior to Christmas, while the City of Sydney’s Draft Central Sydney Planning Strategy is expected to go on public exhibition in early 2017.

While 2015 was a year of creation, with the Greater Sydney Commission established and the initiative of local government reforms culminating in council amalgamations, 2016 has been a year dominated by contemplation. 

Looking ahead, 2017 promises to be a year in which long awaited and highly anticipated planning reform will be decided, and, hopefully delivered.