Speeding Up the Property Development Application Process

Property development applications in NSW should be processed more quickly following the publication of a new Development Assessment Best Practice Guide, NSW Government has claimed.

The new guide aims to help NSW councils evaluate development applications (DAs) more efficiently, which should ultimately lead to faster approvals.

Government figures project that the population of NSW will continue to grow annually by more than 100,000. As a result, homes will be needed for an additional 2.1 million residents by 2036.

In recognition of this expected growth, one of the NSW Premier’s Priorities is to deliver faster housing approvals, and the Premier has set a target of 90% of approvals to be determined within 40 days. For this to be at all achievable, a more efficient approval process is essential.

The number of development applications submitted each year is substantial, and rising. Just over 61,000 planning approvals were granted in NSW in the 12 months to July 2015 alone. This is apparently the highest number in 41 years and an increase of 64.5% over the decade average.

A pilot project has already taken place to test the new guide, with reportedly positive results. According to Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, assessment times improved when the best practice processes set out in the guide were followed.

“The DA process is a key link in the housing supply chain and impacts on how efficiently new housing can be delivered to the market,” Mr Roberts explained.

“We’ve used current best practice in councils to develop the guide, with the focus on delivering a high level of service to council customers prior to lodgement, by ensuring they have an assessment-ready DA,” he added.

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