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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1513 ..

MR KAINE (continuing):

Business can now take advantage of improved business information, advisory and referral services provided by those who know the needs of business. Sometimes the best people to provide information and services to business are not public servants but those who work in the private sector. They know the difficulties faced by business people in dealing with government and they understand their own information needs. Therefore, the Government has contracted to the ACT Chamber of Commerce and Industry the provision of an advisory and information service, called Business Link, to businesses in the ACT.

Much of the frustration faced by business when dealing with our unique and complex planning and land development system has been removed. The Land Act has been simplified. The recent significant revision of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991 has reduced its complexity. Clear and concise plain English explanations of the complex legislative rights, responsibilities and application requirements for development and building proposals have been widely distributed. Presentations on the building and development application processes have been given to a wide range of community and industry groups. It is easier for business to deal with building and development issues as a result of the establishment of the Planning and Land Management Group within the Department of Urban Services. More efficient administration of planning and land development has been achieved by combining planning and land management functions under PALM. A single PALM shopfront has been established.

The notification and lease renewal processes and building and development application processing requirements have been greatly simplified. Businesses applying to undertake several different activities as part of a development or building project are no longer required to undertake separate applications, notification, approvals and appeals processes for each activity. Self-assessment approaches assist business further. The unit title application process, for example, has been reduced from six weeks to three weeks by allowing self-certification. Businesses making a building or development application now need deal with only one point of contact, due to the establishment of the applications secretariat. A case officer is assigned to each application. Business can deal with building, electrical, plumbing and standard residential approvals and inspections at one place. This one-stop shop is a first for Australia. Small business owners can lodge plans at any time it suits them, as a result of after-hours lodgment boxes at building electrical and plumbing control regional offices.

Business saves time and money as a result of the combining into one of five former processes required to complete a development application. In many cases, businesses have benefited from major reductions in fees as a result of the cost-saving effect of single building application and development application processes. The time between completing a facility and having it approved has been reduced as a result of combining stormwater and sewerage inspections. Business saves a great deal of time and money as a result of the new application processes. A business can now attend a free preapplication meeting where any issues can be dealt with early to avoid later delays.

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