Government releases draft planning bills

The Palaszczuk Government has released its draft planning legislation and supporting regulatory instruments for public consultation.

The Planning Bill 2015, Planning and Environment Court Bill 2015, and Planning (Consequential) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, are the end product of consultation undertaken since 2013, both through the current Government’s Better Planning for Queensland directions paper, and through the former Government’s comprehensive reform process.

The draft legislation is similar to the earlier Planning and Development Bill 2014, however it follows through on a number of differences previously flagged in the Better Planning for Queensland directions paper.

Throughout the consultation period, feedback is particularly sought on a number of these key differences, with many highlighted throughout the legislation. These include:

· Appropriate safeguards for councils from claims for compensation in relation to natural hazards

· Transitional arrangements for local government planning schemes

· Proposed change of name for categories of assessment

· Options for the operation of development assessment decision rules

As expected, the draft Planning and Environment Court Bill 2015 proposes to remove the discretion of the Court in determining on a case-by-case basis the most appropriate allocation of costs for appeal proceedings.

The Department is hosting a planning bills broadcast on Friday 11 September from 2.00-3.00pm, to explain key features of the draft legislation and outline the submission process. The broadcast will be followed by an online Q&A session.

The public consultation process will run until 23 October.