A Minns NSW Labor Government will draft new rules and streamline planning processes to stop new developments on dangerous floodplains.
New South Wales is continuing to experience an escalating number of major flood events in recent years.
It is increasingly clear that we cannot continue to develop and build in flood prone areas, and risk putting more people in harm’s way.
There are too many government entities responsible for planning, flood recovery and reconstruction, and while all intentions are good, there is often too much buck-passing and lack of accountability.
Other than the Minister for Local Government, there are five separate ministers in the current government with various planning powers.
NSW Labor will adopt a proactive approach to planning and mitigating against the impact of floods – and charge one Minister with the responsibility of stopping further development on dangerous flood prone areas.
We will achieve this by charging the Greater Cities Commission and the Department of Planning with the task of coordinating with local councils, and streamline planning processes under the Minister for Planning, cutting through unecessary bureaucratic red-tape.
Labor’s commitment builds on the recommendations of the O’Kane and Fuller flood report, which called for simplifying the planning system, coordinating with councils and planning authorities, and ensuring flood planning is factored into future planning decisions.
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:
With more frequent and increasingly severe flood events, it simply makes no sense to continue to repeat the same mistake of developing in flood-prone areas.
“Labor will adopt a proactive approach to planning and mitigating against the impact of floods, by drafting new rules and streamlining planning processes.”
Paul Scully, NSW Shadow Minister for Planning & Public Spaces, said:
“With separate ministers in the current government responsible for exercising various planning powers, it is clear the planning system is broken.
“Streamlining and simplifying planning processes was a key recommendation of the O’Kane and Fuller report.”
Jihad Dib, NSW Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, said:
“One of the criticisms of the Government’s flood response has been there are too many entities with variable responsibilities. This has caused many people and communities to fall between the cracks.”
Greg Warren, NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government, said:
“We must bring together all levels of government, as well as communities, industry and other stakeholders to get this right.”