The New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure has outlined the future of the state’s planning framework. The Green Paper – A New Planning System for NSW details the State Government’s objectives for a more transparent, effective and efficient planning system for the state.

 

The Green Paper delivers a complete overhaul to the 30-year-old Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 with the intention to place community participation at the forefront of the state’s planning system.

 

The State Government believes that the rejuvenation of the planning system will allow future town and city development to better reflect the desires of the community.

 

The Green Paper outlines 23 changes which will place NSW back in contention for the leading planning system in the country.

  • Development applications (DAs) for swimming pools, garages, new houses, changing a shop’s use and other routine proposals will be considered and dealt with faster by the local council or an accredited certifier.
  • Council staff are currently responsible for determining some 97 per cent of development applications. Councillors decide around 3 per cent.
  • The legislation has been modified over 150 times to try to keep up with changes in the community.
  • Each year there are up to 109 changes to Local Environmental Plans across the state.

 

Communities have two months to have their say until 14 September 2012.

 

An online consultation has been set up at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/newplanningsystem

Further information can be found at the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website:www.planning.nsw.gov.au