Parliament passes Local Government Transparency BillThe Queensland Parliament has passed the Local Government Electoral (Transparency and Accountability in Local Government) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.Industry’s concern with proposed planning and building amendments contained in the Bill were raised by the Property Council through its submission and through evidence presented to the Committee’s inquiry into the legislation.The amendments bring forward provisions within the new planning legislation for the retrospective commencement of temporary local planning instruments and the removal of the Court’s discretion to award costs, re-introducing pre-determined criteria for how costs are – or are not – awarded.The Bill also introduces changes to the legislation to clarify the relationship between the State’s planning and building acts, based on the highly-publicised ‘Gerhardt’ court decisions.
Home Property Australia Parliament passes Local Government Transparency Bill