MAYOR Digby Rayward continues to push for an improved development application process in Dungog Shire.

At Council’s last meeting of 2024, Cr Rayward put forward a Mayoral Minute expressing his concerns with the timeframes some government bodies and agencies are taking to assess and/or respond to DAs and the negative impact for people wanting to invest in Dungog.

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Cr Rayward noted that referral authorities are typically NSW Government agencies but may also be other entities such as Hunter Water, ARTC and electricity distributors.

Currently, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 determines the specific timeframe these referral authorities must take in making their assessments, however he notes there are instances where they do not deliver within this timeframe.

He also noted that the delays are placing pressure on Council’s planning team, who must assess DAs within a specific time period.

Cr Rayward will now write to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, expressing Council’s concerns.

Council also noted the power of the NSW Planning Secretary to step in when a referral authority does not respond within the required timeframe.

To facilitate faster referrals, Council also encourages developers/applicants to comply with the DA requirements outlined in the ‘Development referrals guide’ prepared by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.