MIDCOAST Council is attempting to make it “easier and faster to build homes in the region”, with progress discussed at last week’s Council meeting.
Council has been addressing the recommendations identified in the 2023 Housing Barriers Review, which identified problems that slow down the building process and offered ways to fix them.
A statement from Council last week stated the organisation is working to address delays, update systems, and help the community understand how housing approvals work.
According to Council, progress to date includes a new “fast-track” team which speeds up the approval of simple development applications.
A new draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) has also been prepared and is with the State Government for approval. Planning assessments are currently done using three different LEPs from the previous Council areas pre-merger.
Council is now working on a new local approvals policy to outline those activities described under Section 68 of the Local Government Act, which may be carried out without the approval of Council.
Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell, explained that these changes will help people get clear answers faster, reduce wait times, and make it easier to build housing across the MidCoast.
“This is about making it easier for our community to use the planning system at the local level,” said Mr De Szell.
“We’re making sure the rules are clear, the systems work, and that people can build homes without facing long delays.”
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