Local Government NSW President Darriea Turley has welcomed news that the NSW Government will abandon its plan to introduce a “new class of appeals” for land use rezoning proposals.
“This deeply unpopular planning reform was part of the government’s Planning Reform Action Plan and would have introduced a new appeal mechanism to the NSW Land and Environment Court for development proponents who were unhappy with a rezoning outcome,” Ms Turley said.
“LGNSW strongly opposed the reform because, if ever adopted, it would have undermined local strategic plans and diminished the important role of councillors in making strategic land local use policy decisions.”
Ms Turley said the NSW Government wrote to LGNSW last week advising that it would not be proceeding with its proposed rezoning model at this time and would not be introducing an appeal mechanism to the court.
“This is a significant win for locally determined planning decisions and a welcome outcome of our tireless advocacy on behalf of our members,” Ms Turley said.
