In October 2019, the former Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Honourable Rob Stokes MP, asked the state’s Productivity Commissioner to conduct a review of the Independent Planning Commission. The terms of reference are available here.
Mr Peter Achterstraat AM finalised his review in December 2019, which examined, among other things, whether it is in the public interest to maintain an Independent Planning Commission, and the operations and processes of the Commission in the state’s planning framework.
The review found that an independent decision-making function strengthens the planning system by minimising the risk of corruption or undue political influence.
The principal recommendation in the review was that the Commission plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the planning system and should be retained as an independent decision-making body for contentious state significant development.
The other 11 recommendations were aimed at addressing the timeliness, consistency, clarity, and integrity of the Commission’s processes and were grouped in two themes:
On 1 February 2020, the Minister announced the NSW Government had accepted all recommendations. Read the review report here and the Minister’s media release here.
The review recommendations have now been fully implemented.
We recognise the importance of community participation in our decision-making process. Using our ‘Make a submission’ form is the easiest way for you to make a submission on cases currently before the Commission.