Updates on the Newman Government’s State planning reforms

If you’ve been active in the development space over the last few years, you may have noticed the incremental roll-out of the Newman Government’s policy and planning legislation reform, significantly changing the game for developers in Queensland.

This newsletter will chronicle the release of reforms as they are announced and as they come into force, helping distil what the changes mean for those in the industry, and what could arise out of the various shifts in focus which have been set in motion by the Newman Government.

So far we’ve seen significant changes from 2013, including the following:

• Installment of the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) and online myDAS portal;
• State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAPs)
• Single State Planning Policy;
• Queensland Planning Provisions;
• Sustainable Planning Act and Other Legislation Ammendments (SPOLA) Act 2012;
• Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendments Act 2012; and
• Vegetation Management Amendment Act 2013 (and self-assessable codes)

With the following milestones yet to come in 2014 and 2015:

• Changes to infrastructure charges framework – mid 2014
• Planning for Queensland’s Development Act (to replace the Sustainable Planning Act) – late 2014-mid 2015
• Updating regional plans – to the end of 2014
• Updating of local planning schemes – ongoing

All of these changes have a significant impact upon the development application process involving almost every type of conceivable type of urban land development in Queensland.

Accordingly, certain types of development activity regulated under planning or environmental legislation, which was previously unviable, may now be achievable with the effects of the reform.  Conversely, these changes may impose different or further challenges or restrictions upon land use matters in Queensland.

Time is the critical element here, and finding out where your development stands sooner rather than later could add significant advantages and save you time and money through the concept design and assessment stages.

If you would like to discuss a particular development with us, and how it’s status may change with the roll out of State legislation or policy, get in contact with our Gympie or SunshineCoast office and one of our staff will assist with your enquiry.