Political Alert – Planning delivery unit must deliver (NSW)
Wednesday 01 July 2020 (Sydney, Australia) – UDIA NSW Chief Executive, Steve Mann, welcomed todays announced Planning Delivery Unit.
The development sector is essential to the recovery post COVID-19 as it contributes one quarter of the jobs in NSW. Mr Mann said resolving planning delays is critical for the sector to restock a pipeline of projects, homes, and jobs.
“Many precincts have been long delayed in delivery and this One-Stop-Shop must unlock these major projects”
“The initial focus on Parramatta Road will finally unlock a precinct that has been quagmire since the finalisation of the Parramatta Road Urban Transformation Strategy in 2016.
“The St Leonards Crows Nest Precinct is a vital city shaping opportunity and rezoning now will leverage the transit-oriented development opportunity the metro provides.
“In our greenfield growth areas Marsden Park North and West Schofields are vital precincts to continue the growth in the North West.
“These are all big projects and it is critical that they are resolved to help restock the housing pipeline. However, they must not distract from the urgent need for the Planning Delivery Unit to help development assessment and unclog concurrence and referrals.
“Over the past four years approval times have blown out 100 days for DAs over $20 million to 357 Days. Despite the number of development approvals falling to 33,936 in the year to April, a 44% drop since the peak in 2016.
“The UDIA will be seeking to work closely with the Planning Delivery Unit Chief Kiersten Fishburn and her team to ensure that the development pipeline is restocked and approvals flow.
“The critical test for the team will be to get early results, and a necessary step to making planning work in NSW.
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Media Contact: Sam Stone 0401 213 899 media@udiansw.com.au