NSW BREAKS CONSTRUCTION RECORD FOR 2014-15

Planning Minister Rob Stokes today welcomed figures showing a record $34 billion worth of construction was approved last financial year, driving economic growth and supporting jobs through a simpler, streamlined planning system.

Mr Stokes said the 2014-15 Local Development Performance Monitor showed over 90,000 approvals worth $34 billion were given in 2014-15, representing a seven per cent increase on last year’s figure of 84,000 approvals worth $29 billion.

“This is a terrific result for NSW, and shows strong confidence in our economy generated by the NSW Government’s leadership,” Mr Stokes said.

“We set out to make the planning system simpler and easier to use, so people can build and renovate their homes without getting stuck in a web of complex planning regulations.

“Approvals through our fast-tracked complying development system took an average 22 days to be determined, smashing the NSW Government’s target of 40 days and light years ahead of regular development applications at 71 days.

“The NSW planning system is working at full bore to help grow the economy and jobs across NSW, so the community can reap the benefits of that growth.”

Complying development is a fast-tracked development approvals system that allows for straightforward works that meet set criteria without a full development application.

The data shows almost one-third of applications were administered through complying development in 2014-15, equating to 29,075 applications and a 17 per cent increase on the previous year. The complying development system alone supported 29,000 building jobs.