Sue Brooks’ Blog

sue November 15th, 2008

 Council has issued a media release which paints a more accurate picture of the situation in relation to legal costs etc associated with Development Applications. On a personal note I support Council defending its decisions. If Council simply agreed to change conditions imposed on developments during the approval process, in my opinion, we would be compromising our Planning Schemes. Developers are free to argue their case but I would not support Council continually bending to their will!

13 November 2008

 

Council not spending millions on legal bills

Despite persistent rumours in the media, the Fraser Coast Council, or the former Hervey Bay City Council, has not spent $10 to $20 million on legal fees.

 

The Council also refutes recent claims by the Fraser Coast Chronicle that it has spent millions of dollars on legal fees because it has adopted an arrogant and adversarial approach to town planning.

 

In 2006/07 the Hervey Bay City Council spent $292,400 on 11 appeals. In 2007/08 the council spent $336,832 on 15 appeals town planning matters.

 

During this two year period Council received 1513 development applications. The number of appeals filed by developers is 1.7% of all of the applications received.

 

In the first five months of the FCRC 6 appeals have been commenced against decisions made by Council. Again, this is less than 1.5% of the permits granted.

 

Claims that there has been an artificial slow-down in processing development applications by the Fraser Coast Regional Council or the former Hervey Bay City Council are also refuted by the FCRC.

 

While the new planning scheme has caused an increase in applications, amendments approved by the FCRC yesterday (Wednesday, November 12) mean that development permits are no longer required for many houses and sheds. However, building permits are still required.

 

Development figures show that a small team of dedicated staff stepped up to the challenge of processing developments while introducing a new Hervey Bay planning scheme. The Council makes no bones about the fact that the team was undermanned because it, like many other Councils, could not recruit sufficient town planning staff.

 

The Council is currently trying to recruit three town planners to fill vacancies.

 

Figures show that in first year of the FCRC (March to October 31) there have been 884 development applications received and 821 processed.

 

For the 12 months prior to amalgamation 751 development applications were received and 706 processed.

 

For the 2006/07 financial year 460 development applications were received and 429 processed.

 

Since March Council has approved permits allowing 291 new lots to be created. During the same time the Council has approved the final construction of 540 new allotments. Again this is a clear sign of continued growth.

 

New building commencements are also a good barometer of activity in the development industry. In 2006/07 there were 965 development permits for new dwellings approved. For 2007/08 there were 952 new dwellings approved. The overall value of all building permits issued in 2007/08 for development in the former Hervey Bay City Council area was a staggering $369 million.

 

The State Government recently carried out an audit to check if all Councils in the region had an adequate supply of residential land. The audit confirmed an estimated 15 years of supply of raw land suitable for approval for subdivision.

 

Noting the current world financial crisis Council expects that some developments it has approved, or those in the pipeline, may be put on hold.

 

ENDS

• Development issues
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