The gloves come off as ALGA fights to protect the planning role of Councils and third party appeals
A nationwide consultation program was rolled out last month on the draft Leading Practice Model for Development Assessment that aims to improve consistency in planning and development practices across Australia. Even before the consultation was announced, the model had already drawn fire from Local Government across the country over proposals to separate planning roles and stop third party appeals.
Development Assessment Forum Chair (DAF), Peter Verwer, said the Centre for Developing Cities had been commissioned by DAF to both review Australian and international development assessment systems and to devise a new approach. DAF was created by the Federal Government in 1998 to identify leading edge approaches to development assessment (DA) in Australia. Its membership includes the three levels of government, professional associations and the development industry.
“It is essential now that the draft model DA be circulated for detailed examination, to give all interested groups and individuals time to consider and comment on the proposal,” Peter Verwer said. “The consultation will be visiting all capital cities twice from May through to June to hear the views and suggestions of stakeholders.”
The consultation aims to foster constructive discussion across all stakeholders including Local Government, State Government, professions and trades and interested community groups. Peter Verwer said the consultation web site at www.socompr.com.au holds all the relevant background material and a consultation guide on the proposed model, which is the major component of the consultation program.
Before the consultation began, Local Government leaders from across Australia had promised a vigorous campaign to protect the planning role of Councils. While most of the recommendations are not controversial, the model proposes a separation of powers in planning applications restricting Local Governments to a policy making role and an end to third party appeals.
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said the model sought to remove the power of Councils to make decisions on planning applications and stop third party appeals.
“It is an assault on the democratic right of communities to control the planning process,” Councillor Montgomery said. “ALGA will not accept the so called ‘separation of roles’ and ‘defined third party appeals’ proposals in the model and takes strong exception to Local Government being labelled a stakeholder in this process when, in fact, it is the planning authority and decision maker.
“The model must be immediately amended to recognise and entrench the authority of Local Government in the determination of development applications. Councils make planning policy but usually delegate planning decision powers to planning officers. In controversial cases, Councillors will step in and make the necessary decision themselves, as the community demands and expects. “ALGA calls on the Chairman and members of DAF and the State Planning Ministers to reject the proposed ‘separation of roles’ and ‘defined third party appeals’ practices.
“The DAF model is not only daft, it is dangerous. There is no way Local Government will accept moves to dilute the power of Councils and communities to regulate the planning process. Local Government is keen to improve the planning process, but we are not going to allow developers open slather on planning issues.”
The consultation is being conducted by Melbourne based public relations consultancy, Socom. To register participation in the consultation, contact Kathryn Van Kuyk on (03) 9349 1099 or email kathrynvk@socompr.com.au or visit www.socompr.com.au
Interested parties are also invited to make written submissions on the draft Model DA. Submissions should be sent to Development Assessment Consultation, C/-Socom, Level 2, 19-21 Argyle Place South, Carlton, VIC 3053 by 30 June 2004.
The findings of the consultation will be presented to DAF in July 2004.
