Bundaberg introduces “smart” application process

Bundaberg’s new electronic development assessment system is set to speed up the application process and cut costs for councils and industry. Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe says Bundaberg is the second local government in Queensland to adopt the Smart eDA system. “The Smart eDA initiative has been developed by the State Government, in consultation with the Local Government Association of Queensland, councils and industry stakeholders, to streamline and speed up the development assessment system,” he says. “Paper-based development applications are generally difficult to handle, disperse and monitor and place significant demands on councils in terms of staff and costs.”

According to Hinchcliffe, the electronic system provides Queensland with a more efficient, transparent and consistent system. Redland City Council has reportedly already trialled the system, and is now using it successfully. “The Smart eDA website provides a single portal for industry and applicants to use across local government jurisdictions. Applicants can prepare and lodge their development applications online and also track their progress,” Hinchcliffe says. “It transforms the current paper-based Integrated Development Assessment System process into an intuitive and interactive, internet-based process. The system also enables the integration of council and State Government systems and helps to identify any applicable referral agencies.”

Officers from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning visited Bundaberg last week to deliver training for industry stakeholders before the system is rolled out in the next month.