17 May 2011

Speaking broadly, the most striking feature of the Citys proposals is their complexity.

09 May 2011

Key provisions of the bill related to the payments made to lobbyists. However, section 5(3) goes further than the governments stated objective. It applies to any person other than lobbyists.

28 April 2011

Any policy, regardless of how well intentioned, should not introduce more complexity, confusion or uncertainly to an already crippled planning system.

22 March 2011

On the 25 February 2011 significant changes were again made to the Standard Instrument. With one exception the changes are generally a further effort to undermine the positive intent behind the original 2006 text of the Standard Instrument.

17 March 2011

Provisions in relation to the signage for the marketing of new homes require improvement.

16 March 2011

When private developers are unable to develop new housing, it is ordinary homebuyers and renters who suffer most. Almost everyone shops and works in premises developed by the private sector and more are required.

04 March 2011

The draft Centre Design Guidelines are 90 pages long and sets out 396 new principles to further regulate urban development.

01 March 2011

Levy amounts, as presented, are too high but the Departments definition of net developable area make them utterly indefensible. Crucial information has been omitted from the exhibition documents. The Hunter Expressway should not be included.Industrial land includes a wide range of non-industrial land uses. The exemptions from the levy defy logic and must be broader. Deed of charge may conflict with landowners obligations to their first or second mortgagees. Requiring a deferred payment to be made 21 days before settlement will create financing problems.

25 February 2011

The Department of Planning released the public consultation documents for a proposed levy on new homes in the Lower Hunter (said to be $8,80 per lot) and a levy on new homes in the southern Illawarra (said to be $6,200 per lot). The Department is also proposing a $42,100 levy on each hectare of new Lower Hunter industrial land, and a $29,000 levy on each hectare of Illawarra industrial land.

14 February 2011

The Urban Taskforce does not support the proposed amendment to the Standard Instrument as this amendment: is unnecessary; creates the impression that 34 zones in the Standard Instrument are not enough; creates an undesirable precedent; and is inconsistent with contemporary planning principles for the creation of vibrant, active and competitive global cities.