The NSW Government has proposed significant reforms to the Local Environmental Plan making process aimed at reducing the time it takes rezoning applications to be determined and establish appeal rights for proponents.
The Discussion Paper: A New Approach to Rezonings has been drafted to canvass and seek feedback on a proposed new approach to LEP amendments.
Key points
- Slashes rezoning timeframe from 89 weeks to 37 weeks
- LEP Gateway abolished
- New scoping stage introduced with councils, agencies and proponent
- Public exhibition to commence upon lodgement of the rezoning
- Greater administrative involvement in the consultation process by proponents
- Appeal rights to be legislated through the LEC or IPC
Councils charge application fees for planning proposal ranging anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 and the proponent often spends much more in addition to that for a range of supporting technical reports. However, the proponent is offered no guarantee of due process or even having the matter assessed in a timely manner.
This is about to change for the better.
Effectively, the proposed changes will establish a framework for the assessment and determination of planning proposals not too dissimilar from development applications. This is long overdue reform that will provide proponents greater certainty that their investment will be given the timely and thorough consideration it deserves.
For more information and how to make a submission
The NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment has created an informative presentation explaining the reforms which can be viewed here.
Submissions close on Monday, 28 February 2022 and can be submitted at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/rezoning-new-approach
