Page 2274 - Week 06 - Friday, 27 June 2008
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Some sectors have expressed concern about the difficulty in complying with rules for exemption of development, in some cases due to inconsistency in rules for similar structures, inconsistency with contemporary industry practice and a lack of clarity on interrelationship of the rules. This is being addressed. We are revisiting the regulations, amendments and amendments to regulations on DA exemption, and transitional matters are being drafted with possible commencement in August of this year.
Mr Mulcahy raised the issue of staff positions and some vacancies within ACTPLA. I can advise that an extra recruitment round is underway and that ACTPLA staff are working very hard to deal with the backlog of development applications. Many of the previous land, planning and environment act applications are now complete.
The difficulties experienced by some in complying with some territory plan provisions due to the wording of the provisions have largely been addressed through technical amendment No 1 to the territory plan. This has recently been out for public comment and proposes a range of minor amendments to a range of codes.
A range of other code variations to the territory plan to correct a number of technical issues in the short term is being prepared. ACTPLA is also establishing a policy review process to identify priorities for more substantive territory plan issues. These will be discussed with government as they would constitute a policy change to the territory plan and would, of course, require appropriate levels of public consultation.
The Planning and Land Authority is conducting ongoing discussions with industry groups on the five times fee for extension of development covenants which implement an initiative of the government’s affordable housing strategy. I can advise the Assembly that building certifiers have also been in talks with ACTPLA about understanding their role in assessment of exempt single residential development in new estate areas, and further education and training and discussions have been occurring.
I understand from my meetings with the MBA and the HIA, amongst others, that some applicants have been frustrated at not being able to lodge in the code track of the territory plan because they have found it too difficult or time consuming to obtain the necessary pre-lodgement endorsement from a referral agency. The Planning and Land Authority has taken this up with the relevant referral agencies, who themselves have been dealing with and bedding down the changes brought about by the new system.
A comprehensive training plan for both staff and industry has been delivered from February through to the end of this month. Sessions have been held for introductory matters, as well as lodging residential DAs in both the code and merit tracks and lodging non-residential DAs in the merit and impact tracks. I can advise the Assembly that participants have provided very positive feedback on the quality and thoroughness of this program. ACTPLA’s customer service centre and DA staff have also noticed a difference in the quality and accuracy of applications lodged by those who have completed this training.
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