ePlanning for NSW
ePlanning refers to the use of electronic processes in delivering planning and development services – such as the online lodgement and processing of development applications, and the provision of web-based information such as maps, regulations and State and local policies. Feedback to date on planning reforms shows strong support from government, industry and the community for ePlanning in NSW.
There are three key ePlanning projects currently underway:
1. NSW ePlanning Roadmap
Background
The Department of Planning & Infrastructure and the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) funded the preparation of a NSW ePlanning 'roadmap'. This provides a strategic framework for leading and coordinating the uptake of electronic tools for planning and development services delivered to the community by both NSW government agencies and local government. The project was overseen by an ePlanning Steering Committee with representation drawn from state and local government and private industry.
Current activities
Completed in late 2010 after broad consultation with industry and government, the roadmap describes a strategic plan for the prioritised integration of ICT technology into the NSW planning system. Review and implementation of the NSW ePlanning Roadmap recommendations will need to be considered in the context of the state government's priorities and the comprehensive review of the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act announced by the Minister in July 2011.
For more information on the ePlanning Roadmap project, please contact John Hudson, Director Sustainable Systems, Department of Planning & Infrastructure on phone (02) 9228 6517 or email john.hudson@planning.nsw.gov.au.
2. NSW Electronic Housing Code Project (EHC)
Background
In early 2009, the Federal Government made $5.92 million available to fund the NSW Electronic Housing Code (EHC) pilot project under the Housing Affordability Fund. In February 2009 a MOU was signed between the Department and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the project began.
The Electronic Housing Code (EHC), a joint initiative by the Department of Planning & Infrastructure and LGSA, is a pilot project focused on the development of an online system for the electronic lodgement of complying development applications under the NSW Housing Code for lots 200m2 and above. This system will also allow the user to determine if they are able to proceed with their development without further approvals, as an exempt development.
In October 2009, at the NSW Local Government Association conference at Tamworth, the NSW Minister for Planning announced the 12 Role Model Councils who are participating in the EHC pilot project. These Role Model Councils are the focus for fast-tracking EHC service delivery in priority areas, while developing leading practice models for all Councils to follow over time. The selected Role Model Councils were Bankstown City, Blacktown City, Gosford City, Lake Macquarie City, Liverpool City, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Rockdale City, Shellharbour City, Sutherland Shire, Tamworth Regional, The Hills Shire and Tweed Shire Councils. Unfortunately Gosford City Council withdrew from the project in August 2011.
In January 2010, the Department announced the ten Role Model Accredited Certifiers to be involved in this project. These certifiers will play a key role in identifying and resolving any issues in the proposed system, in particular, providing valuable insight to the Department on the practical issues faced when applying the NSW Housing Code in an electronic environment and how a shared platform could work for the wider certifier community. The selected Role Model Accredited Certifiers were Stephen Manning (Andson Building Services Pty Ltd), Ray James (Building Code Certifications), Mark Thomas (Coastline Building Certification), Gurdeep Singh (Express Approvals), Craig Hardy and Paul Gearin (Local Certification Services Pty Ltd), Michael O’Hare (MOHare Pty Ltd), Peter O’Neill (P & D Pty Ltd), Grant Harrington (Private Certifiers Australia Pty Ltd) and Troy Myers (Urban City Consulting Pty Ltd). Two certifiers have since resigned from the project, Paul Gearin in 2010 and Stephen Manning in 2011.
Current Activities
On the 6th September 2011, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure announced that the Electronic Housing Code (EHC) pilot project had been successful in obtaining an additional $4.3 million in funding. This grant is for the expansion of the Electronic Housing Code to include up to 24 additional Councils in NSW and additional Private Certifiers operating in those areas; as well as to include the Commercial and Industrial Code within the system.
A Call for Expression of Interest for the expansion of the Electronic Housing Code was sent to all NSW Councils in September 2011, with a closing date of the 21 October 2011 for submissions. The submissions received were scored against the selection criteria and reviewed by an independent Selection Panel. On 1 February 2012, the Minister for Planning & Infrastructure announced the following Councils would be joining the project: Camden, Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour, Great Lakes, Holroyd, Kogarah, Penrith, Warringah, Willoughby, Wingecarribee and Wyong. Another Expression of Interest for Councils will be held in mid-2012.
Following the release of the successful Councils, an Expression of Interest process was held for the interested Accredited (Private) Certifiers. The successful applicants will be notified by the end of April 2012.
This system, launched by the Minister for Planning & Infrastructure on the 28th October 2011, is currently operational in 10 local government areas - Bankstown, Blacktown, Lake Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Rockdale, Shellharbour, Sutherland, Tamworth, The Hills and Tweed Shire Councils. Liverpool City Council will be operational on the system in early 2012.
Further information on the Electronic Housing Code project can be accessed at http://www.ehc.nsw.gov.au.
3. Electronic development assessment process
The Australian Government is funding a national project, via the Development Assessment Forum (DAF), to develop an 'electronic development application interoperability specification' (eDAIS) to process development applications (DA). This will enable all levels of government and other identified stakeholders involved in the DA process to move information and data electronically between agencies and applicants. The Electronic Housing Code (EHC) uses this technology.
The national eDA (electronic development assessment) Steering Committee, of which both the Department and LGSA are participants, oversees the Electronic Development Assessment Interoperability Specification (eDAIS) project. For further information visit the Australian Government's GovDex website.
Implementation
An NSW ePlanning Steering Committee, with representatives from State and local government and industry, has been formed to engage with key stakeholders in the planning system and to assist in the delivery of these projects.
Further information
Electronic Housing Code Website
Contacts
John Hudson, Director, Sustainable Systems, Department of Planning & Infrastructure on phone (02) 9228 6517, email john.hudson@planning.nsw.gov.au
Shaun McBride, Senior Strategy Manager, LGSA (NSW) on phone (02) 9242 4072 or email shaun.mcbride@lgsa.org.au