The NSW Government has reviewed how Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) work in guiding planning decisions for local councils through zoning and development controls. RMB Planning Lawyer TANYA EMMETT explains that a new appeal process and other improvements will result from the review.
There is a rapidly expanding number of people taking up small rural land holdings or “hobby farms”. As RMB Lawyers Partner and rural property expert HUW EDWARDS explains, it pays to be aware of potential tax implications:
The Goods and Services Tax can apply to the sale of rural land under certain circumstances. RMB Lawyers Partner and rural property specialist HUW EDWARDS explains:
Crown or “paper” roads criss-cross rural NSW, creating potential access issues and other problems for landowners. RMB Lawyers Partner and rural property specialist HUW EDWARDS explains:
A new State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) aims to facilitate the delivery of diverse housing that meets the needs of the State’s growing population and supports the development of a build-to-rent sector. The RMB Planning Division explains.
Easement access to a new development can be a contentious issue in property law. RMB Lawyers Associate and Local Government Coordinator explains:
The NSW Government is preparing to regulate the short term letting industry, but you can have your say. RMB Property and Planning division explains:
The NSW Government recently announced the establishment of Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels (IHAPs) to guard against corruption and improve accountability.
A look at changes to the law on commencement of approved developments that will affect builders and property developers.
A look at the impact of funding cuts at the Environmental Defenders Office.
The Planning Bills have been tabled and the Minister has delivered the Second Reading Speech. Soon we will have a new planning system. The question is, will it deliver on the Government's promise of 2009 to return planning power to residnents through their elected Councils? Only time will tell.
The idea of the new planning system is to return power to local communities. Yet in a recent article in the SMH the Director General of Planning, Sam Haddad, is quoted as conceding that in the design of the new planning system the draft legislation actually reduces the community's ability to challenge 'bad' decisions more than the government had intended. What chance do we mugs have then to participate in this new planning system and of making a difference? Once in Mordor a ring was forged to rule them all. It seems that the bureaucrats in the Department of Planning have similar ideas.
Planning Matters. It is a simple as that. This is a contribution to the lively academic and professional debate over the best means to achieve the ends of spatial planning policies with reference to the NSW Government's recent White Paper on Planning.