changes to the consent authority functions of local councils

The Environmental Planning and Assessment and Electoral Legislation Amendment (Planning Panels and Enforcement) Act 2017 was assented to 14 August, and most changes will take effect 1 September 2017. The bill affects the Greater Sydney region and the City of Wollongong. The key changes are to:

• Remove the powers of councillors to determine development applications
• Require local councils within the affected areas to create local planning panels
• Give consent authority functions to those local planning panels, or a delegate of the council (an officer or employee), or a regional panel
• Allow local council to consult local planning panels on other development matters

The purpose of the amendment is to increase the transparency and independence of the development application process.