05 August 2014
The new Planning and Development Bill released recently by Queensland’s Deputy Premier is a model for other states, says the Urban Taskforce.
“Queensland has a more supportive culture about growth and this is reflected in the new Planning and Development Bill,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. ” The Deputy Premier said the Bill is drafted to drive development and simplify planning processes across Queensland.”
“Queensland does not have the complications of an Upper House which means they can keep their election commitment to reform their planning system intact.”
“The new bill defines its fundamental purpose as achieving ‘prosperity’ which includes the balancing of community well-being, economic growth and environmental protection.”
“The new Bill continues a reform process in Queensland that includes the State Planning Policy and the establishment of the one-stop shop State Assessment and Referral Agency.”
“On the day the new Bill was released the Premier of Queensland released the final version of the Queensland Plan following input from the community.”
“The new Bill continues code assessable as a major stream for processing development applications, simplifies merit assessment and rationalises the appeal process. The aim is to get more development applications into a ‘standard ’category so that they can be processed through a more predictable assessment against standards or codes.”
“Other states in Australia can learn from Queensland’s streamlined Planning and Development Bill. By including the word ‘development’ in its title the Bill is being very clear about its purpose.”
