What is the Local Planning Panel?
The Local Planning Panel is an
independent committee appointed by Council to determine certain development
applications.
The Local Planning Panel is not
subject to the direction or control of Council, except on matters relating to
panel procedures or to the time the panel must deal with a matter as required
by a ministerial direction issued under section 7.17 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979.
How was the Local Planning
Panel Established?
In 2017 the NSW Government passed
legislation that required local planning panels to be established for all
councils and the Sydney metropolitan area.
The establishment of local
planning panels removed Councillor involvement in the determination of
development applications.
The City of Sydney Local Planning
Panel was established by Council resolution on 19
February 2018.
Which applications does the
Local Planning Panel determine?
The criteria that identify which
development applications are to be determined by the Local Planning Panel are
specified in Schedule 3 of the direction
issued by the Minister for Planning under section 9.1 of the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and pertain to:
·
a conflict of interest
·
contentious development
·
a significant breach of a development standard
·
a sensitive development (such as demolition of a
heritage item)
Panel members
The Local Planning Panel is made
up of four members, selected from an approved list. Each meeting panel consists
of a chair (nominated by the Minister for Planning), two expert members
(selected from a list of experts approved by the Minister for Planning) and a
community representative (selected from a list approved by Council).
Current panel members are listed here.
Agendas and minutes
You can search or browse our Council
and Committee meetings archive for business papers and minutes. Electronic recordings of
meetings are available online for one year.
Code of conduct
All members of the panel are bound
by the Code
of Conduct for Local Planning Panel Members. The Code of Conduct aims to
ensure that all decisions of the Local Planning Panel are made in accordance
with proper processes and that all stakeholders are treated fairly.
Operational procedures
The Minister for Planning has
issued a further direction
under Section 9.1 of the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979 setting operational procedures which are
designed to ensure that local planning panels meet their obligations in the
most efficient and effective manner.
The Local Planning Panel has
developed and endorsed operational
procedures for the panel.
The operations of the panel will
be consistent with the operation of Council and its Committees and the Central
Sydney Planning Committee.
Speaking at Local Planning Panel meetings
As part of our democratic process,
members of the community are invited to speak directly to members of the Local
Planning Panel about items on the agenda.
Speakers must abide by the Guidelines
for speakers at meetings and the Operational
Procedures.
Written submissions to the Local Planning Panel
As required by the Operational Procedures, any written representation
pertaining to meeting agenda items, from proponents or other interested
parties, must be submitted to secretariat@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
by 5.00pm on the Friday prior to the meeting.
Meetings webcast
In accordance with the City of Sydney Local Planning Panel Operational
Procedures, meetings of the panel are audio visually recorded and webcast live on the City’s
website.
Local Planning Panel briefings
The panel receives a briefing from
key Council staff on matters on the agenda and have the opportunity to ask
questions or seek clarification on any issues. The briefing presentations are
available on the relevant meeting date.