UDIA NSW president and Urban Taskforce speak out against proposed changes to NSW Planning Bill

UDIA NSW's president and Urban Taskforce Australia have spoken out against proposed changes to New South Wales' Planning Bill.

At the UDIA NSW’s Annual Christmas Luncheon, UDIA NSW president Simon Basheer expressed his concern at the changes to the planning bill announced on Wednesday.

He believes the changes to the planning bill does not meet its original objectives, to benefit both the community and the industry.

“Once the strategic direction is set within the commmunity and local government…developments have the potential to be held up at the behest of local interest groups who lose sight of the bigger picture of responsible and balanced developments to support population growth and the economic prosperity of New South Wales,” he said. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have projected that NSW will double its population in 50 years.

In response to the projected population growth, Basheer said, “For this to happen, managed and properly planned growth that provides certainty and delivery within an acceptable timeframes that brings all stakeholders along for the journey is required.”

He added that NSW has the most uncompetitive approval system nationally, directly affecting funding and infrastructure delivery as a result.

The UDIA is currently reviewing the changes “with a fine toothcomb” and will strive to work with all sides of the government to help achieve “the certainty of the community and industry”. 

Not-for-profit developer and equity financier peak body Urban Taskforce Australia said “an interim strategy is needed to keep the state’s housing supply increasing to match demand”.

“The frustration that all in the development and planning industry currently feel over the delay and possible shelving of the proposed Planning Bill must not let industry confidence collapse,” says Urban Taskforce’s chief executive Chris Johnson.

“An interim strategy is now needed to support approvals for new housing while the Government considers a new version of planning reform possibly after the next election in 2015,” he said.

In response, Urban Taskforce has proposed a seven-action strategy to retain confidence in new housing supply, and believe the actions can be achieved within the current planning framework.

Urban Taskforce notes that Sydney needs a pro-growth approach to planning so future generations need not worry about housing.

The interim strategy as produced by Urban Taskforce can be accessed online.