The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has adopted a new planning clause to make it easier for homeowners to rebuild or repair their homes after a natural disaster.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes said councils could use a new planning provision that gave them the flexibility to help homeowners after a flood or bushfire.
“The Natural Disasters Clause, which has already been adopted by 32 councils, enables councils to approve appropriate applications to repair or rebuild homes even if planning rules have changed since their home was originally built,” Mr Stokes said.
“At the moment, councils have to apply all current rules to any application to rebuild or repair homes after a natural disaster,” he said.
“Planning rules change over time as new technologies emerge and as community expectations change.”
Mr Stokes said under the new clause, homeowners would no longer have to include formal requests to change development standards as part of their application, where planning rules had changed over time.
“This clause will let people rebuild homes approved under different rules in the past, so long as they meet safety and design standards,” he said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said the new measure was prompted by the aftermath of recent floods and bushfires throughout the State.
