The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is pleased to see the NSW State Government Budget for 2017/18 investing money into state planning systems and strategic planning at such a critical time.
PIA has been advocating since inception that the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) be well supported to ensure it can continue to provide the strategic plans and directions which focus on best integrated outcomes for our communities. In the budget, the GSC expenditure is up from $21m to $144m which is a huge increase of 581%.
The budget also sees a substantial 100% increase to support improvements and simplification for a contemporary planning system rising from $38.5m to $77.3m.
“If we are going to deal with the increasing pressures the population growth places on our cities, we need to have the funding to support the strategic plans providing the direction with support from a contemporary planning system that gives us the best outcomes to protect the Australian quality of life” Jenny Rudolph PIA NSW State President states.
Other positives for planning systems across NSW include:
- An increase towards creating prosperous and sustainable regions rising from $316m to $488m which is over 40%.
- The Hunter Development Corporation has increased funding from $53m to $110m (a 106% rise).
- The Hunter Development Corporation will play a role in implementing the Hunter Regional Plan 2036 and improve the availability of housing across the region.
- Driving Economic, Social and Environmental Outcomes through balance decision making also gets a big boost with funding up from $68m to $88m (29%). This program covers the following initiatives;
- accelerate major project assessments and improve assessment timeframes;
- support Joint Regional and Sydney Planning Panels operations across New South Wales;
- deliver high quality, timely assessments and post-approval activities for major projects;
- improve environmental impact assessment, post approval processes and compliance outcomes;
- ongoing review to SEPPs
- drive regional growth and improve environmental outcomes;
- undertake sub-regional planning in key regional cities to grow diverse economies and improve service delivery;
- introduce a new complying development code for inland New South Wales
Having the financial support focused on obtaining the key planning outcomes and improvements to the planning system is vital for our cities and communities. It is also vital that the budget continue to support planning at local government level, and streamlining the planning system. All eyes will now be watching to see if these funds will be provided and used in the appropriate places to ensure affordable, equitable communities that protect our natural environment and prepare us for the future.