27 February 2013
At a forum today on the Reform of Local Government, the Urban Taskforce announced that a special associate membership category has been established for councils.
A number of councils have approached us about how to better understand the position of the development industry in contributing to growth across Sydney and the state, said Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. We have therefore established an associate category that enables councils to be involved in our activities at an appropriate level.
The Mayors of Liverpool, Holroyd, Burwood, Botany Bay and Waverly were involved in a spirited debate at the forum about the financial viability of councils and what size best supports this as well as how best to deliver planning outcomes.
With the planning reforms focussed on involving communities it is the local government level that needs to understand the inevitability of growth and therefore more development across Sydney. The Urban Taskforce is keen to engage with councils that are managing growth by demonstrating good examples of development in appropriate locations.
We are keen to run workshops with councils and with Regional Organisations of Councils or the feasibility of development options and begin a dialogue that is about how to get quality solutions that communities will be proud of.
