The reforms are on public exhibition until 10 March 2017, and can be viewed here.
They aim to give developers incentives to resolve objections before lodging DAs, and focus councillor attention on strategic planning with greater numbers of DA assessments being processed by staff or local planning panels.
Mr Stokes said the state was experiencing the longest housing construction boom in NSW history with the latest figures for the 12 months to October showing 74,577 approvals, the second highest on record.
He said: “The NSW Government is determined to do everything it can, including making the planning system more efficient, to ensure housing supply gets to homebuyers fast.”
He added that the planning reforms would help the NSW Government deliver the 725,000 new homes forecast to be required by 2036 to house an extra 1.7 million residents.
Local communities will also have more opportunity to participate in strategic planning, with each planning authority required to prepare community participation plans.
Other proposed changes include:
- leveling the playing field for the assessment of major projects by ending transitional arrangements under Labor’s Part 3A development assessment which will prevent the misuse of modifications
- Investigating incentives for developers to consult with neighbours and the surrounding community to ensure disputes are resolved prior to a DA proceeding to council
- New powers for the Planning Minister to direct a council to establish a local planning panels of experts and community representatives
- A standardised format for development control plans, produced in consultation with councils, to promote consistency across the confusing array of up to 400 formats currently used in NSW
- Authority for the Department of Planning and Environment Secretary to ensure the efficient processing of developments that require separate approvals and advice under different NSW legislation
- Measures to ensure that local environmental plans are kept up to date
- Extending and improving the complying DA process that covers most new one or two storey dwellings, to include greenfield developments and terrace housing
- Simplifying and consolidating building provisions to remove confusion for developers
- Widening the availability of internal review options for proponents aggrieved by council decisions as a faster, low cost alternative to court action
- Introducing fair and consistent planning agreements between developers and councils to ensure there is more transparency on deals to fund public amenities, affordable housing, transport and other infrastructure.