The NSW Government has provided funds for regional councils to get into e-planning.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes says each of NSW’s 96 regional councils will receive $50,000 under the Regional NSW Planning Portal Grant program.

The $4.8 million fund was created to assist councils in their transition to the digital ePlanning system.

The plan is for people to be able to access planning services and lodge and track the progress of applications from anywhere, at any time.

“We need to help councils update their processes in line with community expectations. Most things are done digitally now – the days of paper-based transactions that can only take place during business hours are behind us,” Mr Stokes said.

“But we understand this sort of transition takes time and requires investment, which is why we are giving councils in the regions $50,000 to do so.”

All NSW councils are required to be using the NSW Planning Portal to lodge development applications and complying development certificates by 1 July 2021, in line with a 2019 Premier’s mandate.