The Master Builders Association of NSW (MBA) has applauded the state government’s new reporting dashboard and statement of expectations. The government’s move will make building approvals processes more transparent and accountable, the peak body said.
According to MBA executive director Brian Seidler, the building and construction industry supported initiatives, which allowed platforms for reporting average building approval and lodgement times to be clear and easily accessible
Seidler said that it was often difficult for consumers and builders to know about the potential delays to their development applications, as such information could be difficult to access. With the government’s recent move, the industry will be able to access this information with ease, ensuring better coordination for construction projects, he said.
Seidlet also said that this type of initiative should be replicated throughout the country. He praised the NSW government for taking the lead.
“The NSW government is leading the way by putting in additional incentives and measures to assist councils in bringing down approval times,” said Seidler.
“The dashboard confirms that some council areas need to invest more resources in addressing approval backlogs so builders can get on with the job of delivering new homes.”
The NSW government released its statement of expectations in order to have its planning system operate efficiently, ensure it reflected the current government’s policy and priorities, provide reasonable timeframes for the compliance of councils, and address the current housing crisis.
The updated order included an update on the minimum performance standards for determining development applications, new lodgement times standard, and a new requirement for councils in the completion of planning proposals and the completion and carrying out of local strategic planning statements and local planning strategies.
