Planning Reform Update

Planning Reform UpdateThe Property Council of Australia continues its calls for the implementation of sensible and timely planning reforms to remove development barriers and create jobs.On 8 September 2015, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning introduced a Bill for an act to provide for matters that are relevant to the use, development and management of land and buildings, including by providing a planning system to regulate development within the state, rules with respect to the design, construction and use of buildings, and other initiatives to facilitate the development of infrastructure, facilities and environments.In many ways, the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Bill (2015) – tabled in the most recent sitting week of State Parliament – recognises that that there is a need for a cultural shift in planning processes. The State Government has in recent years undertaken various targeted reforms to regulatory and policy settings that have helped to unlock planning and development potential. This includes unlocking development application processes through the establishment of the Development Assessment Commission, which has jurisdiction over development in the City of Adelaide greater than $10 million, development in areas like the Bowden Urban Village and the Adelaide Park Lands.Of course, the recent tabling of legislation follows two-and-a-half years of stakeholder consultation, including the five member Expert Panel appointed in February 2013 to provide recommendations for a new planning system to Government and Parliament by December 2014.So where are we now? Well, the Property Council and its committed working group are currently working through the detail of this important Bill. What we do know is that South Australia needs to create a more proactive and engaging system, rather than the quite adversarial and lethargic local Government based approach we’ve seen in this state.There are a number of important areas of consideration within the Bill, including the proposed development levy and a statutory urban growth boundary.What we have welcomed to this point in time are moves to remove local government councillors from Development Assessment Panels and a depoliticisation of the planning process.However, and importantly, the property sector would also like to see the introduction of this Bill strengthened by a firm funding commitment to rolling out a user friendly e-planning system in this state. Without this, the reform will have one hand tied behind its back.Stay tuned for more important information and updates.