21 October 2011
In previous Member Alerts we have reported on the creation of the “Local Planning Panel”.
This panel will examine the Standard Instrument with a view to recommending changes to the Minister. (The Standard Instrument is the template for all new local environmental plans.)
The government has previously announced that the panel is to be composed of departmental and local government representatives, with a chairperson who has been approved by both.
On 28 September 2011, the Minister approved appointment of Tony McNamara to the position of the Independent Chair of the Panel. Mr McNamara is the Director of Environment and Planning Services, Canada Bay Council and the immediate past NSW President of the Planning Institute of Australia.
Further information on the operation of the panel and its others members is here.
We are concerned that this panel is entirely composed of full-time public servants working either for local government or the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. We have made a detailed submission to government and the panel on the reform of the Standard Instrument. In our view, the panel would be improved by including non-government individuals who can bring an applicant’s perspective.