06 November 2008
Todays news that regional panels will have a bigger role in development decisions will boost community confidence in the planning system, according to the Urban Taskforce.
The Taskforces chief executive, Aaron Gadiel, said that the credibility of local councils had suffered an enormous blow following the Wollongong corruption scandal.
The community has clearly lost confidence in the ability of many local councils to handle significant development approvals, Mr Gadiel said.
Since the sickening details of the Wollongong saga have become public; we have seen some councils really struggle to re-establish their standing within the community.
Unfortunately, many councils have lacked the authority and capacity to credibly deal with significant projects.
Its difficult for business to work with decision-makers that arent respected by their local communities.
Mr Gadiel said that nothing could illustrate the problem better than the Australian Bureau of Statistics approvals figures released yesterday.
In the first three months of the current financial year (July September), home approvals are 16 per cent lower than the same period last year.
Approvals for new apartment and townhouse developments are 25 per cent lower than last year.
Mr Gadiel welcomed the governments decision to act on the advice of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
It makes sense to give more responsibility to panels with a balance of experts and local council representatives, Mr Gadiel said.
This decision will help boost confidence in the NSW planning system both from business and from the wider community.
The Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing Australias most prominent property developers and equity financiers.
