Changes ahead for coast-to-coast planning

Changes ahead for coast-to-coast planningCalls to scrap development assessment panels in Western Australia could put the state’s future development in jeopardy, warns the Property Council, while in Queensland the state government is developing new rules on planning and development assessment.The Development Assessment Panel (DAP) system, introduced in July 2011, determines applications for development approvals. Fifteen independent panels have been established throughout the state, comprising technical experts and local government representatives.”The DAP system is a key enabler for the development industry to deliver affordable housing options and spur the economy following the mining downturn,” Iacomella explains.He argues that DAPs have enhanced planning expertise in decision-making, and improved the balance between technical advice and local knowledge.”DAPs have allowed local governments to focus their resources where it counts – on setting their strategic and statutory planning agenda – leaving DAPs to implements those planning policies as approved by each council.”Last year, 94 per cent of decisions made by DAPs were in accordance with the recommendations of the relevant local council.”The DAP regulations ensure the system can only make informed and impartial decisions on an application that has followed due statutory planning processes, which includes public consultation,” Iacomella explains.Iacomella has written to every West Australian Member of Parliament on behalf of the Property Council, urging the retention of the DAP system in its current form.Misinformed criticism is clouding the bigger issue of some local councils’ grossly outdated planning policies,” Iacomella says.”Calls to scrap Development Assessment Panels could put our state’s development future in jeopardy,” Iacomella adds.Meanwhile, the Queensland Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning has released interim development assessment rules to accompany new planning legislation, which will come into effect in mid-2017.”The Property Council has worked closely with the Department to develop the new planning legislation and supporting instruments, and will lodge a further submission on the interim rules during the consultation period,” says Queensland executive director Chris Mountford.