Jackie Trad
July 3, 2017
A new planning system which will oblige Councils to publish their reasons for decisions on development applications came into force on Monday.
The State Government’s new planning system aims to ensure the community is at the forefront of the planning process.
“The Planning Act 2016, which replaces the existing Sustainable Planning Act 2009, will create a new, simplified planning system that is easier to navigate for the community, local government and industry,” Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said.
“It’s clear Queenslanders want more transparency and accountability around development decisions, and our new Planning Act delivers on this.
“The new system embraces genuine community engagement while giving industry certainty to deliver jobs, better protects our heritage and addresses the threat of climate change.”
Ms Trad said the new system will introduce a number of measures to ensure decision making is fair, open and transparent, including making it mandatory for councils to publish reasons for decisions on development applications.
“We know this is a big change for our local councils, which is why we have invested $15.8 million to develop the new planning framework and ensure that councils are ready for the new system,” she said.
“This has included a number of initiatives including workshops across the state, livestreams, financial assistance with IT upgrades and a $4.5 million Innovation and Improvement Fund which will help councils to find ways to make their planning and development systems easier to use and understand.
“There is also a brand new, easy to use Planning ePortal that will provide a better, more accessible online experience for both the community and industry.”
Key features of the new system include:
- Councils and State Government to publish reasons for decisions on development applications
- Improved public access to information
- Better community engagement opportunities
- Greatly reduced potential for the community to face adverse cost orders in court appeals
- A streamlined development assessment process
- Clearer, simpler categories of development assessment
- Greater certainty through a new ‘bounded’ code assessment
- Stronger protection for heritage buildings
More information about the new planning system is available online.
The new planning legislation is also available online.
Footnote: The South Burnett’s new Planning Scheme, which was developed in tandem with the new legislation, was forwarded to the Department Of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning for Ministerial approval in early May after a public consultation period, and is expected to become operational soon.
