NEW South Wales Parliament has passed a Bill that repeals Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and replaces it with an alternative system for assessing projects of state significance.
The Bill, introduced to Parliament last week, was passed by the Upper House on Tuesday night, with Planning Minister Brad Hazzard calling the result "a great day for transparency, integrity and openness in the NSW Planning system."
THE New South Wales Government this week introduced a Bill to Parliament to repeal Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and replace it with an alternative system for assessing projects of state significance.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Brad Hazzard, called it an historic step forward in the government's commitment to clean up planning and make NSW number one again.
NEW South Wales Auditor-General, Mr Peter Achterstraat, yesterday released his report on government expenditure and transport planning for the implementation of the Barangaroo project.
The controversial $6 billion Barangaroo project, to be undertaken by Lend Lease on 22 hectares of government-owned land at Sydney Harbour foreshore, includes the construction of a hotel, office towers, apartment buildings and retail shops, as well as a new park and public waterfront.
THE former New South Wales Government sought to cap job growth in Sydney's inner suburbs and restrict office precincts in the outer suburbs in the "vain hope" of achieving the construction of new office towers in suburban centres, according to development industry group Urban Taskforce.
In a report obtained by Urban Taskforce following a freedom of information request, BIS Shrapnel was commissioned by NSW Treasury to forecast the growth of Sydney's office employment. The report was handed to the former Labor Government in February this year.
THE NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure has refused a proposed $10 million commercial marina complex at Kendall Bay, west of Sydney.
The development was proposed to include a 172-berth floating marina that would cater for vessels from eight to 25 metres in length, a kiosk, manager's office and car park.
KU-RING-GAI Council has regained full planning powers after the New South Wales Government announced the repeal of a state planning policy that overrode council control on certain dual occupancy developments.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard announced the repeal of State Environmental Planning Policy No. 53 – Metropolitan Residential Development (SEPP 53) last Friday, saying the government was committed to handing back planning powers to local councils.
PLANNING and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard has moved to dissolve interim planning panels at Wagga Wagga and hand planning powers back to the local community.
The Minister said he recognised efforts by Wagga Wagga Council to reform its internal procedures and is confident the Council is now fit to manage its own planning processes, in conjunction with the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).
THE New South Wales Government last week said it was delivering on its promise of a 'short-sharp' review of the controversial $6 billion Barangaroo development by announcing the terms of reference for the review.
"Today I release the terms of reference for the Barangaroo review. The review will be jointly chaired by two of Victoria's most experienced strategic design experts – boasting impressive national and international reputations," Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard said.
NEW South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell last week introduced legislation to Parliament to establish Infrastructure NSW, a new body to help plan and deliver infrastructure projects in the state.
"The creation of Infrastructure NSW will ensure independent infrastructure decision making in this State, to get the right infrastructure projects delivered on time and on budget as soon as possible," Mr O'Farrell said.
THE New South Wales Government has announced changes to a controversial affordable housing planning policy introduced by the former Labor Government that was designed to increase the supply of affordable rental and social housing in NSW.
The State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009, or AHSEPP, was introduced in 2009 in response to housing affordability concerns. The policy allowed medium-density developments to be constructed even if they did not comply with local planning laws, providing that at least 20 per cent of the housing was set aside to be rented at below market rates for 10 years.
THE New South Wales Government last week released details of transitional arrangements that will allow for the staged implementation of the government's Strategic Regional Land Use Policy, which has a particular focus on industries such as mining and petroleum, agriculture and tourism.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Brad Hazzard, said the new approach to regional land use was a commitment made by the NSW Liberals and Nationals prior to this year's state election.
FOLLOWING the New South Wales Government's decision to repeal Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, it last week announced transitional arrangements, including revoking the Part 3A status of a number of residential, commercial, retail and coastal projects.
Announcing the new arrangements last Thursday, Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said he was determined to implement the government's pledge to scrap Part 3A of the Planning Act. Last month, the government announced that it would no longer accept applications under Part 3A.
THE City of Sydney says it will spend $180 million on street and traffic improvements if the NSW State Government constructs light rail along George Street, in Sydney's CBD.
Calling it the biggest single investment since the Sydney Olympics, Sydney City Council said it is prepared to work with the NSW Government to rework one of the city's most congested routes.
