The Local Government Association of South Australia says the state’s Property Council has had a dig at SA councils, in an otherwise nice report.

The Property Council SA has released a report that from their own research shows South Australia rates as the equal second best performing State in development and planning.

But LGA President Mayor David Burgess says that did not stop the Council taking the opportunity to make a swipe at Local Government.

“The Property Council (SA) circulated media comment on 4 June, with the release of the 2015 Development Assessment Report Card, commissioned by Property Council Australia, claiming that Local Government is lethargic and needs to 'get on board' with reform,” Mayor Burgess said.

“I totally reject their assertions that the LGA and Local Government as a sector has been slow to recognise there is a need for change in the planning and development system. In fact we agree that second best is not good enough and have called for red tape cutting and reforms for several years.

“Since February 2013, the LGA has issued no less than seven statements supporting the need for reform. We welcomed the announcement of the State Government's Independent Panel to review the planning system (18 February 2013); we acknowledged that we are going to have to make some changes to the way we plan and deliver development (10 May 2013); we welcomed change to the planning reform system 'long advocating for better coordination' (6 June 2014) and the list goes on.”

Mayor Burgess said the LGA met with the Minister for Planning John Rau on 25 March to reaffirm its commitment to planning reform and working with the State Government to deliver positive changes.

This follows a letter from the Minister on 7 January 2015 confirming broad support for 'arrangements that will foster close collaboration with Local Government'.

“Yet the Property Council, seems determined to take cheap shots at Local Government without allowing people the benefit of the facts,” Mayor Burgess said.

“The Local Government sector has long been lobbying the State Government for significant changes to the State's planning system.

“On 14 February 2014 the LGA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the property and development sector, including the Property Council, to work collaboratively to reform the sector. Property Council Executive Director, Daniel Gannon has been notably absent from these planning and infrastructure reform roundtables.

“If the Property Council truly wants to get on board with reform in Local Government then it would be a good start to talk to us…our door is open.”