Homeowners across the State are the biggest winners from the NSW Government\u2019s ePlanning initiative, with new figures released today showing increased transparency and reduced DA assessment times.
\nMinister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the results of the initiative reinforce the Government\u2019s plan to mandate ePlanning this year across 42 councils in metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and Central Coast.
\n\u201cThe initiative with 26 councils has been an overwhelming success \u2013 there\u2019s been a 20-day reduction in assessment times where advice is needed from State agencies, 23 per cent of online DAs have been submitted outside office hours, and 1779 hours\u2019 have been saved for councils and local residents,\u201d Mr Dominello said.
\n\u201cCouncils in metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and Central Coast determine more than two-thirds of all DAs lodged in NSW, accounting for approximately $39 billion in investment value for the State\u2019s economy.\u201d
\nMr Stokes said mandating ePlanning in these councils is a key part of the Government\u2019s program to reform the NSW planning system to improve its transparency, certainty and timeliness.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re transforming the planning system by replacing an old paper-based system with a digital platform. Providing customers and councils with real-time information boosts transparency, avoids delays and provides greater visibility of development proposals,\u201d Mr Stokes said.
\nThe mandate will require councils to complete the following via the NSW Planning Portal:<\/p>\n
An industry reference group will be established to allow stakeholders to provide feedback on implementing the roll-out of mandatory ePlanning.
\nePlanning will be mandated in the following councils:<\/p>\n