Council Joins NSW Government to Fast Track Planning Assessments
Published on 19 June 2020
Shoalhaven City Council is one of the first in the State to opt-in to the NSW Government Planning System Acceleration Program, in a move to fast track Council-led planning projects in the Shoalhaven region.
Introduced in April, the Program offers tools, guidance and support to fast-track planning projects and will work to increase employment and investment opportunities in communities.
Mayor Amanda Findley supported the move, which will allow Council to help the Shoalhaven community rebound from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Program is a great example of State and local government working together to generate investment and jobs in the community during this time of uncertainty,” Mayor Findley said.
“Once a project is selected for the program, it is determined within four weeks. This will help to encourage confidence and will help to ensure our construction industry remains healthy to continue to support our community’s infrastructure needs.
As part of the accelerated assessment program, Shoalhaven City Council will receive:
- Key tools and documents from the State’s Planning System Acceleration Program that will enable council to implement a transparent and robust fast-tracked assessment process at a local level;
- Access to the Government’s new ‘One Stop Shop’ that has been set up to manage complex planning projects and coordination between government agencies;
- Training and support from senior planners within the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to establish local accelerated assessment programs; and
- Direction from the NSW Government to State and regional planning panels to support efforts by councils to get shovel-ready projects out the door faster.
Other NSW Councils joining Shoalhaven City Council as the first group to opt-in to the program, include Blacktown, The Hills, Parramatta, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Northern Beaches, Wagga, Albury and Port Stephens.
For more information visit the Council Accelerated Assessment Program