The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is amending local planning regulations to cut red tape and expand exemptions for many small residential and non-residential projects.
The Department is finalising 30 proposed changes that will streamline the State planning system and support the economic recovery from COVID-19.
Minister for Planning, Rita Saffioti said the proposed changes might include removing the requirement for some planning approvals and introducing improved change of use and parking requirements for small businesses in certain locations.
Ms Saffioti said the key proposals in the draft Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 Amendments included removing the need for planning approvals across Local Government for a number of different types of change-of-use applications.
“There will be a broader ‘deemed-to-comply’ check for single residential dwellings and a limit of only one further request for additional information from Local Governments for applications that do not require public consultation or referral,” she said.
“These are common sense regulations that aim to provide consistency, cut red tape and streamline the planning system, and are in response to years of community and industry feedback,” the Minister said.
“The proposed amendments follow the introduction of our new planning laws and will complement the revised residential design codes policy which is also currently open for consultation.”
She said she recognised the community’s calls for greater consistency in consultation on development matters and had introduced a framework for consistent consultation on complex development applications.
“We are working to ensure planning is easier to navigate, consistent across the State and supports home owners, developers and small businesses during these challenging times,” Ms Saffioti said.
The proposed amendments are available for comment at this PS News link and consultation on these and other amendments will continue until 18 September.
