The NSW Premier O'Farrell's has announced plans to scrap Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and return local planning powers to local government.

Premier O'Farrell has halted all Part 3A applications for private residential, commercial, retail or coastal development, effective immediately.

As a result about half of the applications already in the system will be referred to the NSW Planning Assessment Commission, and the rest will either be sent to local councils for consideration or allowed to lapse. .

 

The Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard has been directed to draw up plans for legislation to repeal the Part 3A amendment which was introduced in 2005 giving planning ministers the ability to overrule local councils and communities on any project deemed to be of state or regional importance.

 

Some councils, however, are looking for further reforms. Parramatta's Lord Mayor, John Chedid, will write to the NSW Government requesting that Joint Regional Planning Panels (JRPP) be abolished, along with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 (AHSEPP).

 

“Both these State planning controls were introduced by the previous State Government and have negatively impacted the way major local developments are considered,” Cr Chedid said.