Point of debate: Are donations from developers due to planning system inadequacy?

Political donations given by property developers are a necessity due to inadequacies in the planning system, Real Estate Institute of New South Wales president Malcolm Gunning has warned.

He said that its time for the finger pointing at developers to stop, and for stakeholders to recognise that the real issue is the planning system.

“The NSW planning system is inefficient, convoluted and outdated. Developers are constantly being made out to be the bad guys, however the real issue is that the NSW planning system needs urgent attention and reform,” said Gunning.

“Developers have no confidence in local councils who are driven by local politics rather than good policy. Developers give to both sides of politics in order to have a voice with senior political figures.”

He emphasized that REINSW does not condone nor support corruption, but understands that sometimes the “only way” to get projects through the system is to make donations to senior politicians.

“We want the NSW government to refine and streamline state planning to take the politics out of the process and create a transparent and efficient system,” he said.

“We need to amalgamate councils and make planning more efficient. There should be half the number of zones and a less complex process for planning approvals, which will create more clarity and faster outcomes.”

He warned that purchasers are often paying the costs of “far too many” cases going to the Land and Environment Court, with delays leading to increased development costs.

{module Do you think that donations from developers are necessary due to the planning system?}