8 December 2011
The Government has released an electronic housing code which should simplify the lodgment of complying development applications and facilitate speedy approvals. The Urban Taskforce has voiced its support for such an initiative. However, we are still seeing Development Control Plans that essentially replicate the controls contained in the housing code. Our view is that greater use of the housing code should be made and where there are variations in local controls, the housing code should be used as a base document with specific local variations.
The Minister for Environment, the Hon. Robyn Parker MP has announced the commencement of the review of the regulations for the Native Vegetation Act 2003. This includes a review of the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005, the Environmental Outcomes Assessment Methodology (EOAM) used by catchment management authorities to assess clearing proposals and the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice (PNF Code). Details of the review may be accessed from here.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has improved the application lodgment system to enable online lodgment of applications for State significant infrastructure and development. The Government says that applicants will now use the online system to begin the application process for State significant infrastructure and development, including making a request for Director-General?s Requirements (DGRs). The Departmental media release is here
