IHAP Response
The Property Council recently wrote to the Minister for Planning raising concerns about two issues relating to the implementation of IHAPs across metropolitan Sydney and the Illawarra.
The issues relate to the capacity of councillors to summarily dismiss members of an IHAP and the lack of timeframes within which council must refer a matter to an IHAP.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Scot MacDonald, recently responded and advised that the Government’s view was that the legislation included accountability and transparency measures:
“Accountability and transparency are at the heart of these reforms. For this reason, the reforms need to include an efficient and procedurally fair means of making sure panels make decisions that accord with local strategic plans and controls. If a council chooses to remove a panel member, its general manager must publish a written statement setting out the reasons for that action.
The Department of Planning and Environment will monitor all removals of panelmembers and there are legislative provisions available to the Minister to addresscouncils’ inappropriate use of the removal powers.
The Department has advised me that almost 0 applications have been received from people wishing to be considered for appointment to the pool of chairs and expert members, so it is unlikely potential panellists are discouraged by the governance provisions.
While there are no specific statutory timeframes for referring matters to panels, the government remains committed to improving the timeliness of development assessment. Once again, the Department will monitor the operation of panels and, where necessary, the Minister has the power to direct councils on panel procedures
The Department is also working with all councils in NSW to improve development assessment timeframes through the roll-out of the Development Assessment Best PractÃce Guide.
As you know, the NSW Government has begun these important reforms in Wollongong and Greater Metropolitan Sydney. We have noted your interest in expanding the panels to the Hunter region and we look forward to receiving the Hunter Chapter’s views on this proposition.”
The Property Council will continue to work with the Governmnet on these important reforms.