What We Have Heard — South Australia’s Expert Panel on Planning Reform delivered its first report

LG Leader December 2013

On 9 December 2013, the Expert Panel delivered its first report as part of the Planning Improvement Project (“PIP”).  This report details the views and opinions expressed by the participants in the extensive public engagement undertaken by the Panel during its “Listening and Scoping” phase.  Mr Brian Hayes QC, the Chair of the Panel has publicly stated at events hosted by the Australian Institute of Urban Studies and Urban Development Institute of Australia this week that the next phase of the Panel’s work is to critically examine and thoroughly investigate each of the “good ideas” which have been put forward for the future of our planning system before making recommendations in this regard.

The report makes for interesting reading.  Of particular interest to councils are suggestions that Regional Development Assessment Panels be mandated, that “prohibited” and “exempt” classes of development be re-introduced into the system, that pre-lodgement processes be increased and that planning merits appeals be heard in a different forum from the ERD Court – for instance the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

As has been emphasised by the Panel over the past few days, no view has been formed on any of the suggestions put to it – this will occur at the conclusion of the Exploring and Discussion phase of the PIP which will now commence.  It will be very interesting to see the result of this phase of the PIP and we will keep you updated on any progress in this regard.

The Report, summaries of all workshops undertaken by the Panel and submissions received are all available to be viewed on the Panel’s website.