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Media Release - Ministers Office Sydney: 26 May 2005 CUTS IN PLANNING RED TAPE CLOSER A new State planning policy that came into force this week which will give councils greater control over local developments while cutting red tape and duplication.
Part of a major overhaul of planning laws announced by NSW Premier Bob Carr on 12th May, the State Significant State Environmental Planning Policy raises the benchmark for a project to be declared state-significant.
It means hundreds of smaller decisions will become councils¡&brkbar; responsibility, reducing Ministerial involvement in local development approvals by around 60%.
"We are reforming the State's planning rules, removing unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic delays, to ensure NSW retains its place as the nation's economic powerhouse," Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Craig Knowles said.
"At the same time we are tidying up the planning system to remove confusion and complexity, making it easier to do business in NSW."
The policy sets new and higher thresholds for State significant developments across most industry sectors, for example:
- hospital developments over $15 million (not previously recognised as State-significant) - construction projects over $50 million - correctional facilities over $30 million - school/TAFE projects over $30 million - power projects over $30 million - all coal and mineral sand mining.
Major activities on 16 key sites including Fox Studios, Penrith Lakes, Kosciusko Ski Resorts, Kurnell, Taronga Zoo are also defined as State-significant.
"This policy increases the average value of urban developments that I will determine from $2.7 million to more than $15 million, with the remainder to be determined by councils.
"It means I can concentrate on those strategic, major projects and infrastructure that are important to the State on economic, employment or environmental grounds."
Last year for example, the Minister approved some 320 projects varying in size and strategic importance. Now, he should only deal with around 130 applications per year, all of which will have strategic significance to NSW on economic, environmental or other grounds.
The new policy also removes needless duplication and complexity from the system.
"Until now, the rules determining what is a State significant development were spread across some 85 planning instruments. This led to considerable confusion and delays.
"Now, the definition of State Significant is contained in one policy which will translate to faster, simpler approval processes," Mr Knowles said.
A new category of 'critical infrastructure' will give the Government greater ability to deliver projects that the Minister considers to be essential to the State's economic or environmental well being.
Major plans such as the Metropolitan Water Plan, Freight Strategy, Rail Clearways Project or rebuilding of infrastructure after an emergency are examples of the types of projects or programs that could be classed as critical infrastructure.
All matters determined by the Minister, including State significant projects, will benefit from extensive reforms to the way such projects are assessed and improved.
Key elements of these reforms include:
- the introduction of a 'one assessment, one approval' system which removes the current need for developers to seek up to 31 separate approvals under various Acts of legislation - a new 'concept approval' option to provide up-front, bankable approval on a major project, minimising risk and costs but without compromising the environment - an end to many of the 'stop-the-clock' provisions which can add time (in some cases up to 18 months) and money to a project's approval - the introduction of Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels to ensure the appropriate environmental, heritage and community concerns are assessed by experts in the early stages of the approval process.
"Instead of trying to apply a 'one size fits all' process to every project, we want the assessment of development projects to be tailored to that particular project," Mr Knowles said.
"We have developed a plan that will keep NSW at the forefront in terms of attracting investment dollars and opportunities.
"These reforms will mean more investment, more timely delivery of major infrastructure and more jobs for NSW."
The State Significant State Environmental Planning Policy 2005 can be found at: www.gai.dpws.nsw.gov.au
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Media Contact: Kathy Connell 0419 239 178
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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