23 April 2014
The Urban Taskforce would like to acknowledge the incredible contribution that Sam Haddad has made to leading planning in the NSW over the last 9 years.
“Sam Haddad has been a stable figure leading reform in the planning system in NSW over many years,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “While we understand that the Government is moving in new directions with planning we believe that Sam’s knowledge and calm manner under pressure will be sorely missed.”
“The incorporation of Environment and Local Government as well as Planning within a new Department of Planning and Environment signals a new approach to governance for planning issues. The linking of local government and planning is potentially a good move as much planning is implemented at the local council level.”
“The Urban Taskforce has long called for a rethink of how planning is undertaken at the local government level. We have proposed the establishment of shared planning centres of excellence between 6 or 7 councils. These new planning centres would service individual councils as well as servicing Joint Regional Planning Panels and regional strategic planning boards.”
“While the departure of Sam Haddad is a loss to planning in NSW it is also an opportunity to give new leadership to the whole planning system in the state. There is now an opportunity to rethink the integrated role of state and local planners and the relative roles of the different levels of government.”
“The result of reforming planning across local and state government must be to have a system that supports the inevitable population growth that the state will need to plan for. This big picture approach to planning for the future sustainability of the state must not be railroaded by narrow focussed local action groups.”
“The Urban Taskforce is keen to work with the Ministers for Planning and for Local Government to contribute our ideas from the development industry that will be providing the future housing and work places needed into the future.”
