The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) has welcomed planning Minister John Rau’s reconfirmed commitment to South Australia’s planning system reform.
During his recent address to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Minister Rau outlined his intent to drive economic growth through improved cooperation and system reform.
LGASA has long been advocating for better coordination between government agencies in supporting development and infrastructure planning.
LGASA President Mayor David O’Loughlin said the Minister’s desire to find greater efficiency in the planning system aligns with the LGA’s call for reform, and LGASA is already working with Development Industry peak bodies to identify red tape reduction opportunities.
“In February 2014, the LGA, Business SA, the Property Council, Master Builders Association, the Civil Contractors Federation and the Urban Development Institute of Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to support a key driver of the State’s economy.
“Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding have met twice since the signing to progress shared objectives and work is well underway on good practice guidelines for engagement between developers and Councils, investigation of infrastructure funding models and the collation of red tape reduction ideas.”
Mayor O’Loughlin also said that there is clearly a hunger for change and the LGASA and industry are looking for the ‘low hanging fruit’- the red tape reduction ideas that can be easily implemented.
“The LGA would like to see the introduction of a ‘tracking system’ for progress on rezoning requests to the Minister, improvements in the definitions provided in the Development Act to achieve consistency in interpretation and Gazetting a standard bonding agreement resulting in time and money savings for Councils and developers.
“There are also more significant reforms needed to consider the architecture of the planning system.”
In its submission to the Panel the LGA has asked the Panel to consider a number of issues of importance to Local Government, including opportunities for public participation in the planning system, better mechanisms to promote excellence in urban and built form and improved coordination between State and Local Government.
Development of an equitable framework for planning, coordination and funding of infrastructure was also recommended.
