❓ The Minister for Planning provides an update on the Department of Planning's efforts to streamline subdivision applications, highlighting the implementation of the ePlan online system and improvements in processing times. The Minister also notes an increase in subdivision applications and improved performance against statutory timeframes.
AnsweredQoN 231Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF PLANNING — SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS
231. Mr J. NORBERGER to the
Minister for Planning:
Can the minister update the house on how the Department of
Planning is responding to the needs of the development industry to streamline
subdivision applications?
OF PLANNING — SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS
231. Mr J. NORBERGER to the
Minister for Planning:
Can the minister update the house on how the Department of
Planning is responding to the needs of the development industry to streamline
subdivision applications?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. It is the case that the
Department of Planning has been very active in recent years in embracing the
use of digital technology and developing digital technology applications as
part of the government's planning reform program. In particular, on 16
February the department launched ePlan—an online system plan for the
lodgement and assessment of subdivision applications. It allows applicants to
submit subdivision applications online and also allows the department to more
efficiently manage the processing of those applications and associated
payments. It already has had the effect of reducing the reliance on manual
paper-based processes. Some of the early results indicate that in the last
month 111 applications were lodged via ePlan since it went live. Those
applications are still being accepted via the traditional manual system when
necessary, but they are being converted to an electronic version so that all
subdivision applications, including receipt and referral processes, are now
electronic. Seventy-eight users have registered on the ePlan e-lodgement
system. They are mainly surveyors and planning consultants, but a small number
of individuals have also done so. The average turnaround time from the receipt
of an application to the referral of that application to the relevant agencies
for comment has been reduced to one day. The previous manual system process
took between two and five days. This is a big step forward in making the
planning system more efficient.
It is worth commenting on the number of transactions that
have been processed in recent times. In the second half of last year, 1 399
subdivision applications were received by the Department of Planning for the
Perth metropolitan area. That indicates a steady upward trend, with an increase
of 14 per cent compared with the second half of 2013. I am pleased to say that
the department and the Western Australian Planning Commission is achieving well
above the 80 per cent key performance indicator for the number of applications
determined within the 90–day statutory time frame. The average is
currently 90 per cent of applications are being determined within the 90–day
statutory time frame. Interestingly, compared with the last year of the Labor
government in 2007–08, only 59 per cent of subdivision applications
were processed within the 90–day statutory time frame.
Mr C.J. Tallentire interjected.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : In
response to the member for Gosnells' question, I am sure some
applications are either refused or they are required to be modified before they
are approved. Maybe there are some the member does not like. If there is some
particular issue, perhaps let us know.
I will also place on record that the
amount of land that has been conditionally approved for subdivision at the end
of 2014 had significantly increased from what was available at the end of 2013.
A lot of land is available for residential development, assuming the developers
go through with their construction.
In conclusion, I acknowledge and
commend the work of officers from the Department of Planning, in particular the
information and communications technology staff, for their very effective work
in developing this online system.
Department of Planning has been very active in recent years in embracing the
use of digital technology and developing digital technology applications as
part of the government's planning reform program. In particular, on 16
February the department launched ePlan—an online system plan for the
lodgement and assessment of subdivision applications. It allows applicants to
submit subdivision applications online and also allows the department to more
efficiently manage the processing of those applications and associated
payments. It already has had the effect of reducing the reliance on manual
paper-based processes. Some of the early results indicate that in the last
month 111 applications were lodged via ePlan since it went live. Those
applications are still being accepted via the traditional manual system when
necessary, but they are being converted to an electronic version so that all
subdivision applications, including receipt and referral processes, are now
electronic. Seventy-eight users have registered on the ePlan e-lodgement
system. They are mainly surveyors and planning consultants, but a small number
of individuals have also done so. The average turnaround time from the receipt
of an application to the referral of that application to the relevant agencies
for comment has been reduced to one day. The previous manual system process
took between two and five days. This is a big step forward in making the
planning system more efficient.
It is worth commenting on the number of transactions that
have been processed in recent times. In the second half of last year, 1 399
subdivision applications were received by the Department of Planning for the
Perth metropolitan area. That indicates a steady upward trend, with an increase
of 14 per cent compared with the second half of 2013. I am pleased to say that
the department and the Western Australian Planning Commission is achieving well
above the 80 per cent key performance indicator for the number of applications
determined within the 90–day statutory time frame. The average is
currently 90 per cent of applications are being determined within the 90–day
statutory time frame. Interestingly, compared with the last year of the Labor
government in 2007–08, only 59 per cent of subdivision applications
were processed within the 90–day statutory time frame.
Mr C.J. Tallentire interjected.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : In
response to the member for Gosnells' question, I am sure some
applications are either refused or they are required to be modified before they
are approved. Maybe there are some the member does not like. If there is some
particular issue, perhaps let us know.
I will also place on record that the
amount of land that has been conditionally approved for subdivision at the end
of 2014 had significantly increased from what was available at the end of 2013.
A lot of land is available for residential development, assuming the developers
go through with their construction.
In conclusion, I acknowledge and
commend the work of officers from the Department of Planning, in particular the
information and communications technology staff, for their very effective work
in developing this online system.
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