Planning through COVID-19 and for recovery

The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the commitment by Australian planning ministers to ensure planning approvals maintain their usual pace through the COVID-19 pandemic period.

"This is a welcome and very sensible measure that will support jobs now, and get the Australian economy going again in the post-pandemic recovery phase," said Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia.

"The property industry is our biggest employer and a key driver of economic activity.

"Keeping the planning approvals process running smoothly during this period is vital to enabling our industry to contribute to the economic heavy-lifting on the other side of the pandemic," Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison said the principles agreed by state and territory planning ministers struck the right balance between keeping the planning system working so that projects were not unduly held up while also maintaining the integrity of planning approvals.

"Keeping building and construction activity going as close to normal levels as possible during the pandemic and having projects in the pipeline for the recovery phase must be a national economic priority," Mr Morrison said.