EP&A Act reform must be braver
The Property Council has called on the Government to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the NSW planning system by delivering reforms beyond what is proposed in the draft Environmental Planning and Assessment Bill 2017 (the Bill).
Released by former Planning Minister Rob Stokes in January 2017, the Bill outlines legislative changes to build confidence in the planning system by:
- enhancing community participation;
- strengthening upfront strategic planning;
- delivering greater probity and integrity in decision making; and
- making the system simpler and faster for all participants.
The Property Council’s submission in response to the Bill (insert a link to our submission from web) identifies drafting improvements and calls for a reform agenda to balance improved upfront community consultation with greater certainty in decision making during the assessment process.
Given the planning system is one of the few substantial micro-economic levers available to the NSW Government, the Property Council is calling for seismic change to enable the system to cope with the volume of activity foreshadowed in strategic plans.
Legislative changes outlined in the Bill need to be supplemented with reforms to facilitate an increased use of code based assessment, broadening the application to include high-rise and mixed use developments.
The Property Council is briefing NSW Government agencies and ministerial offices on its submission, and is updating research examining opportunities to increase the use of codes based assessment in NSW.
For more information contact Cheryl Thomas, Deputy NSW Executive Director [email protected]