❓ Question regarding the McGowan Labor government's planning reforms and their impact on economic growth, small business, and responsible infill development. The Minister outlines a 19-point action plan to streamline approvals and address transparency concerns.
AnsweredQoN 618Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PLANNING REFORMS —
ECONOMIC GROWTH
618. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the McGowan Labor government's
commitment to cutting red tape across the state's planning system and
making life easier for businesses.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government's plans to streamline
the state's planning system and overhaul the development assessment
panel process will drive economic growth and support small business?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how these changes will help deliver responsible and
fair infill that is supported by the federal Minister for Population, Cities
and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge?
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
618. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the McGowan Labor government's
commitment to cutting red tape across the state's planning system and
making life easier for businesses.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government's plans to streamline
the state's planning system and overhaul the development assessment
panel process will drive economic growth and support small business?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how these changes will help deliver responsible and
fair infill that is supported by the federal Minister for Population, Cities
and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge?
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
AnswerView source ↗
The member for Warren–Blackwood
does not like cutting red tape.
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Obviously, he
does not. The Nationals do not like making things better for business in Western
Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Warren–Blackwood, I call you to order for the first time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : We all
thought that, but now it is confirmed by the member for Warren–Blackwood.
He does not want to make it easier for small business in WA. The National Party
does not like regional roads, and does not like small business.
Ms M.J. Davies interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party, you have a chance
to ask a question.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The National
Party does not like regional roads, will not support our regional run-off
program to help save lives in Western Australia, and now it is anti-business.
(1)–(2) Today
we announced our 19-point action plan to streamline the approvals process, to
create a more consistent, efficient process and to address many of the
transparency concerns out there in the community. It is based on three key
principles—making our planning system easier to understand and
navigate; making sure our system is more consistent and efficient; and also
making sure that our planning is aimed at making great places for people to
live. While we have been obsessed with process, we have not been obsessed with
making sure that we create great places for people to live. We have taken a number
of key actions, and there has already been a lot of support from industry and
the community for what we are doing. There are over 1 000 zones out there in
our planning system. We want to reduce that to create more consistency across
our suburbs. We believe that the development assessment panels need to reform
to be a bit more consistent, more transparent, and also take away many of the
conflict of interest claims that have been raised in relation to this issue.
Abolishing the need for small businesses to apply for change of use in town
centres and main streets is again about making it easier for small business,
targeting reduced time frames, and also
making sure we have more consistent community consultation. Some councils
consult really well; some councils do not consult well at all, so we are
taking a consistent approach to ensure that the community is aware of what is
going on. These are simple things, such as changing the signage when a development
approval is in place so that people can go to the block and see not only a development
approval, but also a picture of the proposed building—just so people
can see what is happening. Pragmatic, simple changes are about making sure that
we have a more efficient, consistent system, but one that cuts red tape, lets
people get on with it, and supports small business in our community.
does not like cutting red tape.
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Obviously, he
does not. The Nationals do not like making things better for business in Western
Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Warren–Blackwood, I call you to order for the first time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : We all
thought that, but now it is confirmed by the member for Warren–Blackwood.
He does not want to make it easier for small business in WA. The National Party
does not like regional roads, and does not like small business.
Ms M.J. Davies interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party, you have a chance
to ask a question.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The National
Party does not like regional roads, will not support our regional run-off
program to help save lives in Western Australia, and now it is anti-business.
(1)–(2) Today
we announced our 19-point action plan to streamline the approvals process, to
create a more consistent, efficient process and to address many of the
transparency concerns out there in the community. It is based on three key
principles—making our planning system easier to understand and
navigate; making sure our system is more consistent and efficient; and also
making sure that our planning is aimed at making great places for people to
live. While we have been obsessed with process, we have not been obsessed with
making sure that we create great places for people to live. We have taken a number
of key actions, and there has already been a lot of support from industry and
the community for what we are doing. There are over 1 000 zones out there in
our planning system. We want to reduce that to create more consistency across
our suburbs. We believe that the development assessment panels need to reform
to be a bit more consistent, more transparent, and also take away many of the
conflict of interest claims that have been raised in relation to this issue.
Abolishing the need for small businesses to apply for change of use in town
centres and main streets is again about making it easier for small business,
targeting reduced time frames, and also
making sure we have more consistent community consultation. Some councils
consult really well; some councils do not consult well at all, so we are
taking a consistent approach to ensure that the community is aware of what is
going on. These are simple things, such as changing the signage when a development
approval is in place so that people can go to the block and see not only a development
approval, but also a picture of the proposed building—just so people
can see what is happening. Pragmatic, simple changes are about making sure that
we have a more efficient, consistent system, but one that cuts red tape, lets
people get on with it, and supports small business in our community.
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