A major overall of the NSW planning system is set to begin with scrapping Part 3A major projects. Half of the 500 major projects currently being assessed by the State Government will be referred to the Planning Assessment Commission for determination. While a quarter will be sent to local councils and another quarter will lapse.
As I mentioned in my latest Boardroom Brief newsletter, The Planning Boardroom is committed to providing updates on key planning reforms proposed by the newly formed NSW Government. I expect the next 18 months will be exciting times for the property industry as essential changes have been needed for a while.
A pragmatic approach to planning for NSW is just the ingredient for a transparent and efficient system. But will projects like Barangaroo be de-railed?
There will undoubtedly be concern among those developers ready to submit their Part 3A applications.
However, the newly appointed Minister of Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard, should also consider whether local councils will have the resources to start assessing major projects again. In my opinion, once councils regain the authority, vocal communities will unnecessarily delay the process.
As well all know too well, NIMBYism is rife in the Sydney metro area.
———————————————————————-
MEDIA RELEASE
4 April 2011
Premier Barry O’Farrell announced State Cabinet’s first meeting decided to scrap Part 3A of the planning laws with all new applications to be halted from today.
“Repealing Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act was one of my Government’s key election pledges and it will be implemented,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Mr O’Farrell explained as it requires legislation, the scrapping of Part 3A would be done in stages.
“From today, no new Part 3A applications for private residential, commercial, retail or coastal development will be accepted,” he said.
“The time has come to give planning powers back to local communities.
“Cabinet has directed the Minister for Planning to draw up detailed plans to repeal Part 3A from the Statute books permanently – and this will be done when Parliament resumes.”
Mr O’Farrell said transitional arrangements would be put in place to deal with the more than 500 Part 3A applications already in the system.
Subject to the final transition arrangements, he said it was anticipated that about half of these applications will be referred to the Planning Assessment Commission for
determination.
“A further quafter will be referred to local government for determination and others, which have been in the system for up to two years, will lapse.
“A full review of the State’s planning legislation will also be undertaken, which is expected to take around 18 months.
“The days of giving the Planning Minister sweeping powers to approve developments at the stroke of a pen with virtually no consultation with local communities are over,” he said.
“That extreme power only leads to the sort of suspicion and shady deals that we have seen in NSW over the last 16 years.
“We want to give planning powers back to local communities.
“They know what is best for their area and they should determine which developments should proceed.
“This is another election promise which will be delivered,’ Mr O’Farrell said.
ENDS
MEDIA: Brad Burden 0401 672145or Cameron Hamilton 0425 344 688
Source: Department of Planning, http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/SettingtheDirection/Contactus/MediaCentre/tabid/381/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Image Source: City of Sydney
