Mr McCARTHY - 1998-02-19
I am sure I need not remind him that, at this moment, there is considerable community interest in land use and planning generally. Reviews are under way in Litchfield Shire, Dundee, Bynoe, Finniss, Batchelor, Adelaide River and Pine Creek, all of which are in my electorate. These reviews are creating considerable community interest. There has been criticism in the past that there has been a lack of opportunity for community input. Is the minister considering any procedures which will provide a better capacity for and encourage greater community input to the formulation of land-use policy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as the honourable member rightly pointed out, there is considerable interest in the planning processes in the Northern Territory. Members will be aware that, late last year, my predecessor in this portfolio announced that there would be a review of the Planning Act. Those who have followed the development of planning policy in the Northern Territory will know that, in the last few years, it has moved from a prescriptive planning system to a more performance-based one. Those who have speculated that community involvement in the planning process is to be minimised are ignoring the trends in Northern Territory planning in recent years.
The Planning Act passed in 1993, unlike its predecessor, made statutory provision for compulsory public notification of land-use objectives and development applications. It introduced certain obligations to notify local government, and it continued the requirement to exhibit rezonings. I would like to see an even more performance-based planning process with land-use policy setting the planning framework. The community currently has a role in the development of land-use objectives. This involvement should be extended in such a way that planning schemes for particular areas reflect the interests and aspirations of the community, local government and interest groups Once planning schemes are established, it should be clear to all involved what types of development are considered appropriate. The focus should be more on working together to develop our planning schemes rather than reacting to particular proposals.
Given the community interest in planning matters, I take this opportunity to announce details of an independent review that has been commissioned. The review of the planning process in the Northern Territory will be conducted by Mr Earl James. Mr James has had nearly 10 years involvement with the Planning Authority as a former member and deputy chair. He has also been president of the International Federation of Surveyors, and an alderman on Darwin City Council. I am sure members will agree that Mr James brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this review. The scope of the review will be as follows:
(1) To seek written submissions from the community, local government and industry on the planning process as it
Page 3
relates to the formulation and operation of land-use objectives, control plans, development permits and appeals.
(2) To advise on changes to the current process to encourage local governments specifically and the
community generally to focus more on having input to land-use policy and the establishment of planning
schemes - that is, land-use objectives, control plans, rezoning guidelines etc - and to focus less on
responding to individual development proposals;
(3) To advise on a more easily understood, consistent, responsive, efficient and effective development approval
process, with particular consideration being given to the option of a single control plan and a single consent
authority. [At present, there are 17 major and 60 minor independent control plans administered by a consent
authority, being either the Planning Authority or the minister. The Planning Authority has 70 independent
divisions with a total of 31 members.] Consideration to the devolution of planning powers to local government
will be excluded.
(4) To advise on alternative processes for giving notification of proposed planning schemes, including proposed
amendments, and development applications to persons who have an interest in or are affected by the proposals.
(5) To advise on less formal and more efficient and effective appeal processes which ensure that planning merit
is the primary consideration.
Members will note the one exclusion of local government control of planning. There is no point in considering options that are contrary to expressed government policy. To do so would be a waste of time and effort for all involved.
Submissions will close on 31 March. The time frame will allow time to advertise the review, to receive and hear submissions, to allow councils to process their submissions through the usual round of meetings, and to write the report. However, the report date has been set with the intention of making progress on this important matter which has been active for some time, as honourable members will agree. In the consequential amendments to the Planning Act, I will include also operational administrative matters to correct minor deficiencies that have become evident over the past 4 years that the act has been in place.
I wish to confirm also that the chairman of the Northern Territory Planning Authority, Mr John Maley, resigned from that position as of last Friday 13 February. He has also retired from the Northern Territory Public Service.
Ms Martin: He resigned in disgust.
Mr PALMER: Madam Speaker, I will pick up the interjection from the member for Fannie Bay. I cannot be held responsible for Mr Maley's ageing process. He has grown old and decided to retire. For 35 years, Mr Maley had given dedicated service to the Northern Territory Police Force, the Department of Mines and Energy, the Liquor Commission and, for the past 19 months, the Planning Authority. Mr Maley was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1995 for services to local government and the community. I thank him very much for his service to the Territory community, especially to the residents of Litchfield Shire, and wish him well in his retirement. I understand Mr Maley has purchased a property in the Hunter Valley. Although I am assured that it is a lovely retirement home, he will be spending much of his time in the Territory.
I also wish to announce that I have appointed Mr John Gronow to the position of chairman of the Planning Authority for this interim period during the implementation of the outcome of the review. He has qualifications in civil engineering, urban and regional planning and management. He spent 13 years in executive management at Salisbury City Council in South Australia during a period when the city nearly doubled in size. Much of his time was spent in a planning and engineering capacity. Mr Gronow is a respected senior planner who is well versed in Territory planning issues through his 10 years of service with the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment where he is currently assistant secretary in charge of the development approval division.
In closing, I invite all interested members of the public, including the opposition, to make submissions to Mr James. I especially invite local government authorities to make submissions.
Madam SPEAKER: I would like ministers to keep their answers shorter.
Page 4
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as the honourable member rightly pointed out, there is considerable interest in the planning processes in the Northern Territory. Members will be aware that, late last year, my predecessor in this portfolio announced that there would be a review of the Planning Act. Those who have followed the development of planning policy in the Northern Territory will know that, in the last few years, it has moved from a prescriptive planning system to a more performance-based one. Those who have speculated that community involvement in the planning process is to be minimised are ignoring the trends in Northern Territory planning in recent years.
The Planning Act passed in 1993, unlike its predecessor, made statutory provision for compulsory public notification of land-use objectives and development applications. It introduced certain obligations to notify local government, and it continued the requirement to exhibit rezonings. I would like to see an even more performance-based planning process with land-use policy setting the planning framework. The community currently has a role in the development of land-use objectives. This involvement should be extended in such a way that planning schemes for particular areas reflect the interests and aspirations of the community, local government and interest groups Once planning schemes are established, it should be clear to all involved what types of development are considered appropriate. The focus should be more on working together to develop our planning schemes rather than reacting to particular proposals.
Given the community interest in planning matters, I take this opportunity to announce details of an independent review that has been commissioned. The review of the planning process in the Northern Territory will be conducted by Mr Earl James. Mr James has had nearly 10 years involvement with the Planning Authority as a former member and deputy chair. He has also been president of the International Federation of Surveyors, and an alderman on Darwin City Council. I am sure members will agree that Mr James brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this review. The scope of the review will be as follows:
(1) To seek written submissions from the community, local government and industry on the planning process as it
Page 3
relates to the formulation and operation of land-use objectives, control plans, development permits and appeals.
(2) To advise on changes to the current process to encourage local governments specifically and the
community generally to focus more on having input to land-use policy and the establishment of planning
schemes - that is, land-use objectives, control plans, rezoning guidelines etc - and to focus less on
responding to individual development proposals;
(3) To advise on a more easily understood, consistent, responsive, efficient and effective development approval
process, with particular consideration being given to the option of a single control plan and a single consent
authority. [At present, there are 17 major and 60 minor independent control plans administered by a consent
authority, being either the Planning Authority or the minister. The Planning Authority has 70 independent
divisions with a total of 31 members.] Consideration to the devolution of planning powers to local government
will be excluded.
(4) To advise on alternative processes for giving notification of proposed planning schemes, including proposed
amendments, and development applications to persons who have an interest in or are affected by the proposals.
(5) To advise on less formal and more efficient and effective appeal processes which ensure that planning merit
is the primary consideration.
Members will note the one exclusion of local government control of planning. There is no point in considering options that are contrary to expressed government policy. To do so would be a waste of time and effort for all involved.
Submissions will close on 31 March. The time frame will allow time to advertise the review, to receive and hear submissions, to allow councils to process their submissions through the usual round of meetings, and to write the report. However, the report date has been set with the intention of making progress on this important matter which has been active for some time, as honourable members will agree. In the consequential amendments to the Planning Act, I will include also operational administrative matters to correct minor deficiencies that have become evident over the past 4 years that the act has been in place.
I wish to confirm also that the chairman of the Northern Territory Planning Authority, Mr John Maley, resigned from that position as of last Friday 13 February. He has also retired from the Northern Territory Public Service.
Ms Martin: He resigned in disgust.
Mr PALMER: Madam Speaker, I will pick up the interjection from the member for Fannie Bay. I cannot be held responsible for Mr Maley's ageing process. He has grown old and decided to retire. For 35 years, Mr Maley had given dedicated service to the Northern Territory Police Force, the Department of Mines and Energy, the Liquor Commission and, for the past 19 months, the Planning Authority. Mr Maley was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1995 for services to local government and the community. I thank him very much for his service to the Territory community, especially to the residents of Litchfield Shire, and wish him well in his retirement. I understand Mr Maley has purchased a property in the Hunter Valley. Although I am assured that it is a lovely retirement home, he will be spending much of his time in the Territory.
I also wish to announce that I have appointed Mr John Gronow to the position of chairman of the Planning Authority for this interim period during the implementation of the outcome of the review. He has qualifications in civil engineering, urban and regional planning and management. He spent 13 years in executive management at Salisbury City Council in South Australia during a period when the city nearly doubled in size. Much of his time was spent in a planning and engineering capacity. Mr Gronow is a respected senior planner who is well versed in Territory planning issues through his 10 years of service with the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment where he is currently assistant secretary in charge of the development approval division.
In closing, I invite all interested members of the public, including the opposition, to make submissions to Mr James. I especially invite local government authorities to make submissions.
Madam SPEAKER: I would like ministers to keep their answers shorter.
Page 4
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016