This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
The New South Wales Upper House has passed the Environmental Planning and Assessment Bill 2006.
Planning Minister Frank Sartor has welcomed the passage.
Sartor said the changes will prevent a handful of poorly-performing councils from leaving development applications in limbo.
“This is another key step in making the NSW planning system more efficient.
“Despite the hyperbole from local government, this legislation marks a new era – one where councils are more accountable for their performance and its effect on NSW families.
“The vast majority of the 125,000 development applications lodged with councils each year come from families who want to build or renovate homes and small businesses seeking to expand operations.
“Unnecessary delays can add substantially – and unfairly – to the cost of development.
“These reforms give the Government more flexible powers to appoint planning administrators and independent assessment panels, in the very few cases where councils are not performing to expectation,” Sartor said.
The legislation also allows State Government oversight of Section 94 plans and council development controls.
Earlier this week, research from HIA showed there is more than $700 million in taxes and levies sitting in the trust accounts of Sydney’s 45 councils.
“In NSW, state and local Governments have long regarded new housing as a cash cow, ramping up development charges and levies to provide for a broad range of infrastructure – including local open space, libraries, sports centres and other community facilities
“Increasingly, new home buyers shoulder a disproportionate share of the cost of necessary infrastructure,” Gersbach said.
By Kathryn O’Meara