The Local Government and Shires Associations of New South Wales have put forward a number of alternative planning reforms which aim for faster development decisions without compromising the character of neighbourhoods or community input.
Changes to building certification and broader appeal rights for residents were two possible solutions tabled at a forum in Sydney on 30 January, attended by 250 Mayors and General Managers from across the State.
“The Government’s changes will lead to homeowners being denied a say in what is being built next door, the character of many neighbourhoods being compromised, and the same rules being applied to residential developments regardless of whether you are in Bourke or Balmain,” said President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Councillor Genia McCaffery.
“As community representatives we have a responsibility to oppose changes that are not good for the community, and float ideas which protect the rights of residents and ensure good development decisions are made. The alternative suggestions, which we have asked the Government, community and industry to consider, focus on making sure planning decision makers are accountable, building codes reflect local needs and neighbours have the opportunity to appeal developments.”
Suggestions considered at the forum included:
- Building Certifiers’ certificates made to the Council
with strict turnaround times for developments
already certified - consideration be given to broad third party appeal
rights (available in other States) - encouraging the use of advisory Independent Hearing
Assessment Panels (IHAPs) to conduct hearings
outside the adversarial arena of Council meetings,
with findings reported to elected Councils for a
decision - changes to court procedures to take away the ‘win– lose’ approach, reduce costs for Councils and
shorten hearings.
Some of the State Government’s suggestions were supported, including a planning assessment commission, but with Parliament overseeing its operations and membership; improvements to plan making; strengthening enforcement and sanctions for building certifiers; and the extension of
e-planning initiatives. Councils also spoke of the likely impacts of Government plans to slash development contributions.
“While there is a much greater awareness of the implications of the Government’s plans to slash development contributions, we have still had no commitment to abandoning or altering the proposed changes,” said President of the Shires Association of NSW, Councillor Bruce Miller. “The cuts will greatly reduce Councils’ capacity to provide crucial social infrastructure, in an environment where many are already at financial breaking point.
“We are demanding the Government provide more time to consider solutions to current planning problems so we can agree on workable solutions which don’t compromise the fundamental right of residents to have communities where people want to live.”
