Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson said the Bill shows Government and the Opposition have been listening carefully to industry since bipartisan agreement to work on sensible changes was first proposed earlier this year.
"It represents a major step forward in modernising the NSW planning system - the reforms will help to clear the backlog of smaller, simpler projects and free up important resources to get on with the more complex projects that drive jobs, housing and economic growth," Ms Stevenson said.
"The Bill proposes exactly the kind of reforms we've been calling for - to amend and simplify the legislation rather than undertake a complete rewrite of the Act. What's proposed is a smart use of the tools already in place that will help to get projects moving faster.
"We're particularly pleased to see the establishment of a Development Coordination Authority to coordinate agency advice on projects, and a new Targeted Assessment Pathway for simple projects that require limited assessment - these reflect the key priorities for change consistently raised by our members and in our conversations with government," she said.
Ms Stevenson said the legislation will provide more certainty for industry by standardising development application requirements and approval conditions and creating a consistent statewide approach to community consultation.
"We're taking a careful look at the details of the Bill, and we'll be closely monitoring the debate as it progresses through Parliament in the coming weeks. What's already clear is that the reforms intend to overcome obstacles in the planning system to better support investment in NSW - from major housing precincts through to retail, commercial and industrial development," Ms Stevenson said.
"We need practical measures like this that cut red tape and shift the planning system's focus from process to delivery."
Ms Stevenson welcomed the collaborative approach taken to get the settings right.
"This Bill shows what can be achieved when the Government and Opposition work together with industry. A bipartisan, partnership approach is the most productive way to tackle the changes we need to make, and we call on all parties to continue in this spirit of cooperation as the reforms are finalised and implemented."
