Builders welcome the commencement of the Development Coordination Authority (DCA), a major reform by the Minns Government which can streamline the planning and development assessment system to fast track construction of new housing.

Matthew Polock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW said, “The Minns Government continues to deserve credit for the implementation of its planning and housing policy agenda and the establishment of the DCA is major milestone in this process,

“Having to deal with multiple bureaucracies at once can be the bane of a builder’s existence and we welcome the DCA as a one-stop-shop that will relieve this burden for development applications that require the input of NSW Government departments and agencies,

“If it works as intended the DCA should help produce a less a more efficient and streamlined planning system that’s easier to negotiate and will boost productivity.

“The DCA will cut red tape by providing a coordinated response and expert advice to both applicants and councils which will save time and money; boost productivity and building activity which is vital to economic growth,”

The DCA will:

• Act as the single point of contact for enquiries regarding development and modification applications that need the input of NSW Government agencies.
• Provide development applicants with a single coordinated response from consent authorities.
• Bring together experts from across government agencies with the aim of expediting the resolution of issues.
• Provide coordinated technical advice on Development Applications, modifications and rezoning.
• Help resolve post consent issues.

“This work of the DCA will combine with a 28 day timeline to fast track development assessments and approvals but only if streamlining the front end of the planning process doesn’t just result in roadblocks being kicked down the road.

“We strongly support the government’s planning system changes and its efforts to build more homes. We do not want to see these reforms undermined by bureaucracies at state and local council level playing musical chairs with red tape,” Matthew Pollock said.