The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has introduced new regulations allowing Councils to notify their communities of local planning matters online.
Deputy Secretary, Planning and Assessment at DPIE, Marcus Ray said amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 removed the requirement on Councils to notify planning processes or applications in local newspapers and now required them to advertise those matters on Council or the NSW Government’s Planning Portal.
“The changes ensure local Development Applications and planning processes can continue throughout the pandemic,” Mr Ray said.
“With many local newspapers moving online, often with paywalls, this is a small but important change to ensure that local development and construction can carry on throughout the current COVID-19 crisis,” he said.
“These changes will ensure Councils can keep planning staff in work and that the construction industry has a pipeline of local work now during the crisis and as we exit it in the future.”
Mr Ray said the changes modernised the planning process to ensure the public’s voice was heard on planning matters.
He said the changes to the Regulation also allowed the Department and Councils flexibility to use alternative, additional methods to get the word out in their communities.
