News - Planning & development

The redrafted ACT Government Territory Plan has been released for the final round of public comment, prior to proposed gazettal in March 2008.

The redesigned document is a big improvement on the original draft, and I think a credit to the staff at ACTPLA who put so much into the new structure.

Although the Minister's media release that follows, doesn't mention it, I believe that the Reference Panel made a substantial contribution to that outcome, and it was a pleasure to play a part in that process.

DRAFT TERRITORY PLAN PROGRESSES FASTER, SIMPLER, MORE EFFECTIVE PLANNING SYSTEM   

Minister for Planning, Andrew Barr, today released a new draft of the Territory Plan for public consultation, saying it makes further progress toward a simpler, faster and more effective planning system for the ACT.

Mr Barr said the draft plan, which is on public exhibition for the next four weeks, is the result of an extended process overseen by an independent assessor, and incorporates the views of ACTPLA, an industry and community reference group and responds to the issues raised through 112 public submissions.

'In July I announced a new process for the implementation of the new Territory Plan to allow sufficient time for all issues to be addressed. As part of this new process I appointed Ms Sue Holliday, the former Director General of the NSW Department of Planning, as the independent assessor to provide transparency during this crucial phase, and an independent reference group to help guide the development of a new draft,' Mr Barr said.

'The draft Plan I am releasing today will further progress our new planning system and is a result of the hard work of ACTPLA, the Independent assessor and the reference group.'

Mr Barr said that the changes to the Territory Plan reflect the need to bring the plan into line with the new Planning and Development Act, but that once it is implemented in March next year, further policy work will be undertaken.

'The Plan is as policy neutral as possible and reflects the changes we have made to the new Planning and Development Act. It's an essential first step in our plan to modernise the ACT planning system,' he said.

'However, the Territory Plan is a 'living' document that will continue to evolve. It is not and never will be a static document. As we continue to take our city forward, there will always be a need to make further adjustments to reflect the attitudes and needs of our community.'

Sue Holliday, the independent assessor engaged by the ACT Government to assess the Territory plan, supports the need for further policy development, which was unable to be progressed through this current stage.

'The key challenge now for the ACT is to further review the Territory plan so it takes account of emerging policy issues such as climate change, sustainable development and housing affordability. ACTPLA is doing the right thing in keeping the process moving. Keeping all interested parties informed and engaged along the way is the right thing to do.'

Mr Barr also today took the opportunity to announce that the Government will be investing $269,000 in education and training about the changes to the planning system for industry, tradespeople and Government agencies ahead of its implementation next year.

'We accept the Territory Plan, as well as the development application and approval process is different. Therefore we are investing about $269,000 in a major education and training program to ensure that everyone who uses the new system understands how it works. This is one of the key challenges for us in the run into March next year.'