Standing out

Eight councils have refused to join the new system of joint regional planning panels introduced on 1 July by the NSW government. The panels were intended to streamline the development approval process and depoliticise the planning portfolio by addressing a perceived lack of consistency between councils on building limits and other issues, shortening the approval timeline and cutting down on red tape.

Each panel consists of two council representatives from each council in the area, together with three government-appointed members, and each member has a vote. All work above a $10 million threshold is assessed by the panel, leaving local councils to manage only smaller approvals – a key area of criticism for those not in favour of the new system.

The councils who have refused to join are Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Byron Bay, Cessnock, Gunnedah, Palerang, Shoalhaven and Warren councils. The perception is that planning power has been transferred from local to state government. It is believed many councils have joined panels under duress. Local councils must still defend panel decisions in the Land and Environment Court, resulting in councils potentially having to defend a panel decision with which both their members on the panel disagreed. Panel members must also absent themselves from any Council meetings where a development that is being dealt with by their panel is under discussion.