ROBE District Council is streamlining its planning process and is acting in line with new laws.
Chief executive Roger Sweetman said the State Government has introduced legislation that will change how development assessment is undertaken within his council.
He said the new legislation is called the Planning Development Infrastructure Act.
“It is the most significant change to planning legislation since the early 1970s when state wide planning controls were introduced,” he said.
According to Mr Sweetman, the legislation is being implemented over a number of years and, as these changes occur his council will be advising the community via various means.
“In response to the new legislation, Robe District Council has reduced the membership of the Development Assessment Panel to five members and reduced council’s representatives on the panel from three to one,” he said.
“Council’s representative on the panel is Mayor Peter Riseley.
“The council would like to thank outgoing members Lawrie Polomka Cr David Loxton for their input into the panel during their tenure as council representatives.”
Mr Sweetman said the new laws make it mandatory for members of the Development Assessment Panel to be accredited professionals by July 2018.
“The new legislation provides the opportunity for councils to establish regional or subregional assessment panels.
“The Limestone Coast Local Government Association is undertaking a review of the operation of its members councils’ panels and investigating the opportunities to establish regional or subregional panels.
“Based upon the information presented as part of this study, Robe District Council will make a decision as to whether it supports the establishment of regional or subregional panels.”
