On Friday May 6, 2016 the NSW Planning Minister, the Hon Rob
Stokes MP, announced reforms to the planning system. In many
respects this will involve dusting off the 2013 reforms which were
ultimately withdrawn by the O'Farrell government when the Hon
Brad Hazzard MP was the Minister for Planning. This update looks
more closely at what is likely to be covered in the 2016 reform
package.
Overview
Minister Stokes has set out an ambitious timetable for
consultation on the reforms, to culminate in draft legislation to
be released in the second half of this year. He says that the
amendments will focus on ensuring confidence and consistency within
the planning system.
At a briefing to stakeholders on May 5, 2016, the Minister and
senior staff from the Department of Planning and Environment
outlined the major elements of these reforms:
