Message from the Minister

It’s been a fruitful year for the DLPE and we’ve seen much progression in the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan.

The Plan identifies the essential characteristics and needs that will shape future growth in the region and establish an overarching framework for future development.

An important priority of the plan is to ensure that the Darwin Region continues to evolve as a place that is affordable, prosperous and sustainable, integrating existing and new urban areas to provide for individual character, identity, choice and a diversity of lifestyles for residents.

The framework and policy approach established by the plan will result in better integrated land use, transport and infrastructure planning, to deliver more sustainable and cost-effective outcomes, and provide for economic and community growth in balance with protection of the environment.

As the population of the region continues to grow, the need to balance infill and greenfield development and to achieve a more compact urban form has become a prominent influence on the regional land use structure.

Our focus with the NT Planning Commission is now to develop Area Plans to provide guidance to future growth and development in the Darwin Inner and Middle Suburbs together with development of the Litchfield Sub-Regional Plan including Activity Centres.

We’ve also recently given home buyers and builders a chance to shape government policy with the release of a review of the residential building industry’s regulations for stakeholder consideration.

The ‘Cureton Review’ has been prompted by concerns expressed by consumers and industry about the effectiveness of the Residential Cover Scheme, introduced in January 2013.

These concerns focused mainly on the assessment of residential builders, scope of cover of fidelity certificates and the protection of other parties in the building supply chain.

The NT Government has sought advice for a broader protection model that could apply to consumers and extend to the construction supply chain to deliver a simplified building protection fund for home owners.

The Northern Territory needs a consumer protection system that not only protects new home builders but purchasers of new strata title units, including high rise unit developments.

Industry also needs a more effective builders licencing system that provides protection for subcontractors and building material suppliers.

The Cureton Review covers three key areas:

·        Residential warranty insurance (the current Fidelity Fund)

·        Building contractors licensing

·        Payment protection

Home buyers and builders will have a chance to consider other consumer protection systems and I welcome comment from all stakeholders in regards to the recommendations of the Cureton Review.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas

David Tollner

Minister for Lands and Planning