Planning Reform Fund
Reform of the planning system is a priority of the NSW Government - to deliver a more effective and efficient system for NSW. Modernising local planning is a key part of these reforms.
The aim of the Planing Reform Fund is to support the development and implementation of reforms to the planning system, to streamline the planning process, making it more strategic, efficient and transparent while enhancing community involvement. The Planning Reform Fund helps fund the reforms and can assist councils in particular by supporting the delivery of new local plans and key strategic planning projects.
Round 5 funded projects
On 17 December 2007, the NSW Government announced the latest round of funding under the Planning Reform Fund. These grants will help councils prepare new local plans to guide sustainable growth and implement metropolitan and regional strategy goals, with more than 72 per cent of funds allocated to regional areas of NSW.
Round 5 funding gave priority to projects that will assist councils to prepare new comprehensive local environmental plans (LEPs) in line with the standard LEP template, and to councils which have not already received Planning Reform Funding.
Examples of projects funded through this latest round include:
- $100,000 for a revised and updated land use strategy and new LEP for the Griffith local government area.
- $100,000 for a comprehensive review of the Wagga Wagga LEP and development control plan.
- $50,000 for the preparation of a Precinct Plan for the Randwick Education and Health Specialised Centre (as outlined in the Metropolitan Strategy).
- $80,000 for the preparation of a consolidated LEP for Dubbo to incorporate the current Rural and Urban LEPs.
- $30,000 to undertake a study of bulky goods retailing development and the provision of industrial land in Armidale.
- $50,000 to Boorowa Shire Council for the completion of a Strategic Land Use Plan and preparation of a new shire-wide LEP.
- $20,000 to Great Lakes Council for the preparation of a comprehensive employment lands strategy for Forster Tuncurry.
- $100,000 to Bourke, Brewarrina and Central Darling councils for the preparation of comprehensive subregional land use strategy, as well as new LEPs and DCPs for each local government area.