Call for State to scrap shorter assessment times

Council is calling on the State Government to scrap proposed new planning rules that will halve the time councils have to assess development applications.

The proposed changes will also allow applicants to opt out of responding to council requests for further information. 

“This means councils could be forced to decide major development applications without access to all the facts,” Mayor Tony Wellington said.

The new rules also prevent a council asking for additional time to properly assess an application.

“As well as paving the way for poor planning outcomes, the proposed changes may reduce the time residents have to make enquiries about a development application.”

The Mayor said Council would need to recruit extra planning staff to meet the tighter timeframes - a cost that will have to be passed on to developers through higher fees and charges.

Planning and Environment Manager Kerri Coyle said the State Government was amending the development assessment rules following changes to the Planning Act, passed in May.

Council will prepare a formal submission as part of the consultation process for the new rules. 

Cr Wellington urged members of the community concerned by the proposed changes to join Council in lodging a submission, before the December 19 deadline.

To view the new Development Assessment Rules and make a submission, visit the Queensland Government website.

13 December 2016