Coalition for planning reform

Members of the Coalition for Planning Reform met with Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, last week, to reignite discussion on the need for ongoing reform of the planning system in NSW.  

Members of the Coalition span the NSW development assessment system and include: Australian Institute of Architects, Planning Institute of Australia, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, NSW Business Chamber, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Sydney Business Chamber, and the Property Council of Australia.

A complete overhaul of all SEPPs (State and Environmental Planning Policies) remains a key priority on the Coalition’s agenda, with work already underway. 

Also high on the agenda of the Coalition is the need for Development Assessment (DA) reform.

Acting NSW Executive Director of the Property Council, Felicity Wilson, welcomed the discussion.

 “It’s about more than just improving processing times. It’s about increased certainty and consistency, improved business activity, and economic growth,” Ms Wilson said.

“It’s about better design and community input into strategic planning.

“It’s about a strong and more strategic local government. Importantly, it’s about long-term solutions and sustainable development.”

The meeting was also an opportunity to commend the Minister on some of the sweeping changes to NSW’s planning landscape which we have seen occur over the past 12 months.

The introduction of the Greater Sydney Commission, and accompanying legislation, which creates new statutory decision-making powers at the District level; as well as the Fit for the Future process which commenced in 2015, will significantly improve efficiency of an unnecessarily complex system at the local government level.