Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, said: “Retail is vital to the NSW economy, employing about 420,000 people each year and adding $95.6 billion to the state’s economy.
“Last year retail was the second largest employer in NSW, and the third largest in regional NSW, so it is imperative to get this right for all communities across the state.
“But the industry is rapidly changing, so it’s vital we adapt our legislation to protect the sector and the thousands employed in it.”
What do the proposals include?
• Developing a new planning policy to shape and support the future of retail to make it more flexible and competitive
• Identifying what the trends, changes and outcomes for retailers and customers are, and consider them earlier in the planning process
• Developing a state-wide retail plan to offer retailers surety, customers a greater range of choice and councils a consistent plan for every part of NSW
• Offering clearer guidance to industry and councils on where retail should go, such as close to new development and in regional NSW.
Minister Roberts revealed that online retailing equates to about eight per cent of total retail sales across Australia, with this share forecast to double by 2025.
He added: “The pressures on retail businesses are immense. Customers are demanding more. They can now shop online at any time of day, almost anywhere and either pick up their goods or have them delivered, sometimes within hours of purchase.”