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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 18 June 2008 LANDMARK PLANNING REFORMS PASS NSW UPPER HOUSE The State’s Upper House has approved landmark reforms overnight which will deliver a more efficient and transparent planning system for NSW.
Planning Minister Frank Sartor said the changes would cut red tape for ordinary homeowners and small businesses and introduce independent decision-making into the system.
“This Upper House vote is the culmination of more than a year spent studying national and international trends, holding forums and seeking public feedback,” Mr Sartor said.
“The Bills passed overnight are in keeping with what is being done across the country – in recent weeks, both South Australia and Victoria have announced further reforms.
“Our changes will ensure the NSW system keeps pace with best practice planning across Australia and meets the challenges of the 21st century.”
Mr Sartor said the reforms were introduced five weeks ago and passed following an extensive debate – despite late night grandstanding and filibustering by the Greens.
“Importantly, our package of changes will take much of the heartache out of planning applications lodged by ordinary homeowners,” he said.
“We’re restoring reasonable rights to property owners who want to undertake minor works, according to set rules, which don’t affect either the neighbour or the neighbourhood.
“The reforms tighten up rules around accredited certifiers and increase penalties, and strengthen review and appeal rights for ordinary applicants.
“We have also slashed red tape for the live music and entertainment industry by abolishing rules which require venues to obtain place of public entertainment (POPE) licenses.”
Mr Sartor said he would now establish an Implementation Advisory Committee of local government and industry representatives, including planners and architects.
“I am disappointed that the leadership of local government has wasted hundreds of thousands of ratepayers dollars trying to obstruct commonsense changes, instead of working through the detail in a constructive fashion.
“I urge them to now put election-year politics aside and work with the State and planning practitioners to implement these changes for the benefit of the community.”
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