Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA), Mayor Rick Firman OAM, has cautiously welcomed
the planning reforms announced by the Minns’ Government. Mayor Firman, however, raised concerns about
how centralised planning, standardised assessments and processes would improve outcomes for remote, rural
and regional communities.

“The CMA, of course, support reforms to the planning regime that will make it simpler and faster for all those
involved. However, we are concerned about whether the new standardised, centralised approach will have the
capacity to accommodate development in remote, rural and regional NSW. As always with major legislative
reform, the devil is in the detail. We will be analysing the legislation and the supporting regime to determine
what the impacts are on the communities and businesses our members represent,” Mayor Firman said.

“Councils across NSW have expended considerable resources preparing and adopting State mandated plans such
as the Local Strategic Planning Statements which required considerable community consultation. Councils want
to see how these plans and statements which have been informed by the local community will be integrated
into the Housing Deliver Authority’s decision-making” Mayor Firman said.

“It is imperative, therefore that once the Government starts fine-tuning the legislation and its implementation,
that local government is a genuine part of the process,” Mayor Firman said.

“The CMA Board is pleased to see the establishment of the Development Control Authority (DCA), whose role is
to act as a clearing house in relation to the approvals required from other government agencies for
developments. The ability to obtain approvals from government agencies more swiftly through the DCA’s work
is welcomed,” he said.

“The CMA strongly supports legislative changes that will improve housing stock in NSW, however, it is imperative
that other barriers to housing development are addressed at the same time. These include skills shortages for
town planners and building inspectors as well as across all the building trades. In addition, the time and costs
associated with the provision of supporting infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water and sewerage, which
in some non-metropolitan locations can take years, is a significant barrier to growth,” Mayor Firman said.

“Cutting the red tape that has grown over the years, as successive State Governments have made amendment
after amendment to the planning regime has undoubtedly increased the paperwork involved in getting
developments over the line, is definitely overdue.”

“The CMA will be seeking assurances from the Government, that the HDA’s decision-making processes will
reflect the plans, aspirations and goals of NSW’s remote, rural and regional communities. We have written to
Minister Scully seeking an opportunity to discuss the reforms” Mayor Firman said.

“The CMA Board applauds the NSW Government’s desire to provide faster, simpler development approvals.
more certainty for builders and communities and to reduce red tape and duplication in the NSW Planning
regime.”