Planning reform a must in 2020
The Property Council today welcomed the announcement by Premier Gladys Berejiklian that planning reform will be a major focus in 2020.
The announcement comes at a critical time with job numbers softening and housing approvals weakening following a significant period of growth.
“It is a huge win for our community to hear the Premier’s commitment to fixing the NSW planning system,” Property Council NSW Executive Director Jane Fitzgerald said today.
“A better planning system will help address some of the challenges Sydney faces today and is critical to creating the good growth we desperately need.
“We have a unique opportunity to enact reforms now that will set our State up for the next 20 – 30 years.”
Ms Fitzgerald said a better planning system would provide greater certainty for the community and industry on how our city will grow and develop.
“If we want to be the number one state in Australia, we cant have a planning system that holds us back, providing a barrier to investment, good growth and more affordable housing.
“In 2019 there has been a dramatic housing slide with a 50 per cent drop in housing approvals since 2016 and the number of dwellings approved per 1,000 greater Sydney residents dropping from 11.2 in FY2016-17 to 5.9 in FY2019-20 to date – something has to change.
“Over the past 12 months the NSW Productivity Commissioner, Our State’s Economic Blueprint and Nick Kaldas’ report into governance in the planning system have all underlined the need for reform the planning system.
“An efficient and productive city is critical to our state’s economic growth and our planning system cuts across all key elements – ensuring our system is running well means better outcomes economically, socially and environmentally.”
A committed path to reform of the planning and contributions system in NSW will:
- Restore jobs to the construction industry and NSW more broadly;
- Address the direct and indirect costs that the NSW planning system adds to the price of each NSW home and deliver better infrastructure more efficiently
- Provide better outcomes for the community
- Ensure collaboration across all levels of government and with industry and community