Media Releases

Better Planning Network wants answers! – Media Release

Better Planning Network wants answers! – Media Release

Planning Reforms to date have failed to solve the housing affordability issue and the focus on fast delivery of dwellings has left many communities and BPN members all over NSW disgruntled. The planning policy positions of candidates in the #NSWVotes2023 election, particularly of many independent and minor party candidates likely to enter Parliament, are often unknown. Better Planning Network (BPN) has released a set of questions for #NSWVotes2023 candidates for the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. The questions reflect feedback from BPN members about high priority electoral issues, including: Is a root and…continue reading →

A New Approach on Rezoning – Media Release

BPN has significant concerns about the Planning Reform Action Plan announced by the Planning Minister on 15 December 2021. As part of the reforms, the Government has stated that it will introduce a Planning Delivery Unit (PDU) which will intervene at the request of a developer, council or government agency and will “when needed” make a decision in place of an approval body. This appears to be in direct response to developer demands that the Government intervene when Councils delay decisions to enable proper assessment and community consultation or reject decisions outright. The…continue reading →
The Public Must Share in Unearned Development Windfall – Media Release

The Public Must Share in Unearned Development Windfall – Media Release

The NSW Government’s Infrastructure Contributions Review has delivered yet another financial windfall from development at the expense of local communities. BPN spokesperson on this, Phil Bradley said “If these recommendations are implemented, communities will be deprived of funds to build vital infrastructure. No council or government should be approving a very profitable development unless it is in the public interest”. When developers are permitted to build many storeys more than a Local Environmental Plan allows, the land value increases, sometimes by as much as $2,000 per sq metre of additional floor area. Very…continue reading →