- Share:
In 2015, a concept proposal by Arts NSW for a new performing arts and cultural precinct in Walsh Bay was assessed and approved. The concept approval did not give consent to carry out any works.
That decision was later challenged in the Land and Environment Court (LEC) on the grounds that the Department should have considered construction–related noise impacts when assessing the concept proposal, rather than allowing the assessment to be undertaken when the development application (DA) for construction was lodged.
The LEC agreed that because the concept proposal did not seek approval for works, it was appropriate that construction–related impacts be considered at the DA stage.
In June 2017, The Court of Appeal took a different view and found the development consent for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct invalid finding that:
This is at odds with the approach councils and the Department have taken, which has been to allow construction impacts to be assessed at a later stage, where the concept approval does not allow any construction work to be carried out. Established assessment practices also allowed concept proposals to be followed by a single DA for construction.
The likely impact of the decision is that:
This decision highlights the need for greater clarity around the requirements for concept proposals.
These issues need to be clarified to avoid delays in the assessment and delivery of more than $8 billion worth of major state, regional and local development.
The Bill clarifies:
The changes reflect accepted assessment practice and ensure that established processes can continue. Nothing in the amendments will restrict councils and the Department from considering construction impacts during the concept proposal stage. The changes allow construction impacts to be assessed at the later DA stage if more appropriate, when the detailed design of proposals and their construction methods have been fully considered. In either case, the legislation ensures construction impacts are fully assessed before any work can be carried out.
The amendments will apply to applications that are pending, and protect any consents that have been granted since the release of the draft Bill for public exhibition.
The proposed changes to legislation will not validate the consent for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct or the second stage DA which is yet to be determined.
The changes in the Bill will replace the current provisions for staged development applications in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (Part 4, Division 2A). It will mostly replicate the current provisions, with the following key changes:
The Bill also includes savings and transitional arrangements to ensure that the new provisions for concept development applications apply to pending development applications, as well as development consents previously granted. The changes will not apply to development consents that have been declared invalid by a court before the public release of the Bill.
The draft bill was released for public comment from 30 June to 24 July. A broad range of submissions were received.
The submissions were taken into consideration by the Department in finalising the draft Bill for Parliament. There was one major change to the Bill in response to submissions. This change was to clarify that the Bill will not validate the second stage DA lodged for the Walsh Bay Arts precinct.
View the submissions at the Plans Policies website.
Where can I see the proposed changes?
The proposed amendment to the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 will provide clarity and prevent delays in the assessment and delivery of staged State significant, regionally significant and complex local development applications (DA).
The amendments will make it clear for applicants that a staged DA may include a concept approval and only one subsequent DA and provide clarity around the level of assessment required for concept proposals and subsequent staged applications.
The changes in the Bill will replace the current provisions for staged development applications in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (Part 4, Division 2A). It will mostly replicate the current provisions, with the following key changes:
The Bill also includes savings and transitional arrangements to ensure that the new provisions for concept development applications apply to pending development applications, as well as development consents previously granted. The changes will not apply to development consents that have been declared invalid by a court before the public release of the Bill and will not validate the consent for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct or the second stage DA.
The proposed amendment will support the continuing assessment and delivery of more than $8 billion worth of development. Without these amendments, the assessment and delivery of major state, regional and complex local development could be delayed by up to 12 months, including the delivery of 14,500 homes across NSW.
The proposed changes arise out of the Court of Appeal’s decision in relation to a DA for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
The proposed amendments reflect accepted practice and will allow for the continuation of established development and assessment processes.
The proposed amendments would apply to applications that are under assessment, and protect any approvals that have been granted since the release of the draft Bill for public exhibition.
The proposed changes will not validate the consent for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct or the second stage DA.
All submissions received during public the public exhibition were taken into consideration by the Department before the Bill was introduced to Parliament this month. Parliament will now consider the draft Bill.
Page last updated: 24/04/2018