It’s quicker for a baby to be born than to get an approval from one Sydney Council!

17 July 2007

Its quicker to conceive and give birth to a baby, than to get a home extension approved by one Sydney council, according to Aaron Gadiel, CEO of the NSW Urban Taskforce.

Todays Local Development Performance Monitoring Report released by the NSW Government reveals, for the first time, that Leichhardt Councils average development application (DA) processing time is nine and a quarter months (185 business days).

 

Twelve councils take an average of 100 days or more to process development applications, Mr Gadiel said.

 

Leichhardt residents have to wait longer than anyone else in the State to get their home extension, renovation or pergola approved.

 

It takes less time to conceive and give birth to a baby, than it does to get a new kitchen approved by Leichhardt Council.

 

Nothing can excuse such a shocking performance.

 

Mr Gadiel said this new information could not be ignored. Its time for the State Government to step in and strip Leichhardt Council of its planning powers.

 

This report also demonstrates the need for immediate reform of the States unwieldy planning system.

 

Theres no reason why approving a pergola, a home extension or a new kitchen should take more than seven days. Delays and disputes in the development application process are hurting the ordinary homeowner.

 

Research shows that delays in approvals cost up to $4 billion a year in NSW.

 

These delays can increase the cost of building a new home by up to 15 per cent, Mr Gadiel said.

 

The NSW Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing NSWs most prominent and important developers, builders and property financiers. The NSW development industrys annual turnover is $35 billion and employs 180,000 people, accounting for six percent of the States total employment. It is the fifth largest contributor to the State economy.


Media Enquires: Aaron Gadiel, Chief Executive Officer, Phone: 0417 477 904  or (02) 9238 3955

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