Productivity Commission approvals report removes planning red tape

10 December 2013

The Report on Major Project Development Assessment Process by the Productivity Commission highlights areas where red tape is slowing down approvals, says the Urban Taskforce.

 

“The Productivity Commission review found that development assessment processes for major projects had unnecessary complexity, duplicative processes and lengthy approval timeframes,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson.  “The recommendations propose a unified approval process when projects come under state and national approval frameworks.  We are very supportive of the streamlined approach proposed with a delegation to the state for approval.”

 

“NSW and the Commonwealth have already agreed to a single approach for assessment and the Commission’s recommendations would move this on to the final approval being given by a single authority.”

 

“The report also found that ‘stop-the-clock’ provisions were often misused by approval bodies to make timelines look better than in reality.”

 

“Where a Minister issued an approval the report recommended that no review of the decision should be allowed unless on judicial grounds.”

 

“While the report is by a federal agency many of the recommendations are equally applicable at the state or local government level.”

 

“The report also suggests giving priority to activities in urban areas where most of the major projects occur.”

 

“Major Projects are critical to the productivity of NSW and of Australia and any saving in approval times will be of great benefit to the whole community.”

 

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