The State’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is set to be transformed following a review by the NSW Productivity Commission aimed at streamlining its processes.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes said the NSW Government had accepted all of the review’s recommendations.
“The IPC will undergo a significant transformation with new performance benchmarks, streamlined processes, greater accountability, and new Commissioners, to ensure the system works better for everyone,” Mr Stokes said.
“An effective planning system is vital to the health of the NSW economy,” he said.
“The recommendations of the Productivity Commission will increase certainty and confidence in the way planning decisions are made.”
Mr Stokes said key changes to the IPC included: establishing the IPC as a separate and independent agency; clarifying roles; eliminating bureaucratic double handling; ensuring only the most complex and contentious projects are referred to the IPC; and introducing accountability benchmarks for decision-making timeframes.
“I am pleased the review has reaffirmed the value of independent decision-making for the State’s most complex and contentious projects,” he said.
“But it is clear changes need to be made to ensure greater certainty for people and the community.”
Mr Stokes said the reform would be spearheaded by Acting IPC Chair, Peter Duncan.
The 67-page review can be accessed at this PS News link.
