Queensland wins top national planning accolade

Queensland’s innovative one-stop-shop State Assessment and Referral Agency has taken out the national award for improving planning processes at the Planning Institute of Australia’s awards ceremony overnight.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the award demonstrated the Newman Government was building the most efficient and effective planning and development assessment system in Australia.

“The State Assessment and Referral Agency was a strong and clear response by our government to concerns voiced by industry,” Mr Seeney said. 

“Under Labor, the State’s role in the development assessment process had become part of the problem rather than the solution.

“Developers and councils were juggling proposals through multiple state agencies – a process which cost them valuable time and money and often produced inconsistent outcomes, eroding business confidence. 

“In July 2013 we created a one-stop-shop for State development assessment and referrals, which significantly cut red tape and streamlined the development assessment process.
 
“I congratulate the team for winning the national Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award.

“It comes on the back of the team winning the Planning Institute of Australia’s state award in November.

“For me the sweetest thing about this award is that it’s a win for common sense – a principle that is prevailing more and more in Queensland’s planning system.”

For more information visit www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/development-applications/state-assessment-and-referral-agency.html

[ENDS] 19 March 2014

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