Policy update: Conflict of Interest - Development Applications

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Consultation has concluded

On occasion, Council needs to lodge development applications to undertake works, or provide owner’s consent for another party to lodge a development application on Council land. Being the Consent Authority for the majority of development application could lead to conflict of interest for Council. To manage these conflicts, we have a Conflict of Interest - Development Applications Policy

We have recently updated this policy and are exhibiting it for a period of 28 days and seeking public feedback

Seeking community feedback on how Council manages conflict of interests is important for transparency and it also helps build community confidence in Council’s decision-making processes.

It is worth noting that there are thresholds where certain Council applications are required to be determined via the State under State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021 (SEPP). Council projects with a capital investment value greater than $5 million are the most common trigger applying to Council related development applications under the SEPP. This therefore provides greater transparency for what would be considered higher risk Council related applications.

In summary, the changes include:

  • Acknowledging that the Policy does not apply to ancillary works in road reserves adjoining development (i.e. driveways, footpaths etc).
  • Recognising that potential impacts should not be limited to and evaluated on whether an Environmental Impact Statement is required.
  • Updating position titles.
  • Recognise that a pending sale of land that Council may benefit from, should be a consideration in deciding to engage in external assessment of Council related development applications.

Recognising that there are other State bodies that may be the consent authority for particular applications and acknowledging that the Policy does not apply in such instances.

Have Your Say

The draft Development Applications – Conflict of Interest Policy is on public exhibition from Wednesday 21 September until Wednesday 19 October 2022, and is available to view in the Document Library to the right of this window (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device).

Please share your thoughts with us on the draft Policy by:

Any further enquiries, please contact Council’s Group Manager Development Services, Dan Croft on telephone (02) 6581 8111 or email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au

On occasion, Council needs to lodge development applications to undertake works, or provide owner’s consent for another party to lodge a development application on Council land. Being the Consent Authority for the majority of development application could lead to conflict of interest for Council. To manage these conflicts, we have a Conflict of Interest - Development Applications Policy

We have recently updated this policy and are exhibiting it for a period of 28 days and seeking public feedback

Seeking community feedback on how Council manages conflict of interests is important for transparency and it also helps build community confidence in Council’s decision-making processes.

It is worth noting that there are thresholds where certain Council applications are required to be determined via the State under State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021 (SEPP). Council projects with a capital investment value greater than $5 million are the most common trigger applying to Council related development applications under the SEPP. This therefore provides greater transparency for what would be considered higher risk Council related applications.

In summary, the changes include:

  • Acknowledging that the Policy does not apply to ancillary works in road reserves adjoining development (i.e. driveways, footpaths etc).
  • Recognising that potential impacts should not be limited to and evaluated on whether an Environmental Impact Statement is required.
  • Updating position titles.
  • Recognise that a pending sale of land that Council may benefit from, should be a consideration in deciding to engage in external assessment of Council related development applications.

Recognising that there are other State bodies that may be the consent authority for particular applications and acknowledging that the Policy does not apply in such instances.

Have Your Say

The draft Development Applications – Conflict of Interest Policy is on public exhibition from Wednesday 21 September until Wednesday 19 October 2022, and is available to view in the Document Library to the right of this window (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device).

Please share your thoughts with us on the draft Policy by:

Any further enquiries, please contact Council’s Group Manager Development Services, Dan Croft on telephone (02) 6581 8111 or email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au