In 2012 we conducted a small independent survey regarding the Government’s Planning Reform Green Paper and reported the results in October 2012. This survey follows on from that initiative seeking your views on the recently released “A New Planning System for NSW White Paper” and the two exposure bills that provide the regulatory framework for the proposed new planning system.

This survey should take 5 – 10 minutes to complete. The top line results will be available in late June 2013. A copy of the White Paper and the Exposure Bills can be found at these links:

White Paper -
https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/50e8717a9968716223532455eb67e51e/White-Paper-full-document.pdf
Exposure Planning Bill 2013 -
https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/4753629ee2d34e89e72dab8963a117a3/Planning_Bill_2013.pdf
Exposure Planning Administration Bill 2013 -
https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/cad303d680b6dfdb5a9df8490d0ddf38/Planning_Administration_Bill_2013.pdf
(If you wish to view the document please copy this link into a new browser window - then return to this window to complete the survey)

As someone involved in planning in NSW what are your views on the following aspects of the changes proposed in the White Paper?

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* 1. The White Paper proposes the establishment of a new planning system. It states that: "The key objective of the planning system is to promote and enable economic growth and positive development for the benefit of the entire community, while protecting the environment and enhancing people’s way of life. It is about development that is sustainable". How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the White Paper?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
Including a leading objective about facilitating economic development is appropriate
The balance of objectives proposed is correct
The environmental objectives are not captured well enough
The social objectives are not captured well enough
Incorporating sustainable development as defined in the White Paper ensures that the new planning system can address the quadruple bottom line

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* 2. The White Paper proposes a new hierarchy of plans. This includes State, Regional, Subregional, and Local Plans. (Pages 64 to 92) Overall how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding the hierarchy of plans?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
These changes will provide improved protection for the natural environment
These changes will provide improved protection for sites with heritage value
These changes will support communities to maintain their desired local character
These changes centralise decision making and there is minimal room for Local Plans to respond to local issues
These changes will reduce duplication and wasting of resources in planning
These changes will add additional administrative layers to the system

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* 3. The White Paper outlines how public participation will occur in the new system. Overall how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
The Public Participation Charter will ensure that the views of the community will be reflected in planning
The Exposure Bills do not adequately support the proposed community participation plans
Only highly organised groups will be able to participate in plan making
The new system enhances the level of meaningful community participation

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* 4. The White Paper proposes new approaches to planning and delivery of infrastructure. (Pages 152 to 177) Overall how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
The proposed changes will better align planning and infrastructure provision in new developments
The proposed changes will further disadvantage established areas where infrastructure is poor
The proposed changes to funding approaches will deliver better quality infrastructure
The proposed changes to funding will make housing more affordable
The proposed changes will reduce delivery of neighbourhood infrastructure in favour of subregional and regional projects

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* 5. How strongly would you agree with the following statements regarding the development assessment approach proposed in the White Paper?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
The standard conditions of approval proposed will ensure that the impacts of development are properly controlled
The goal that 80% of all development will be assessed as complying or code assessed within five years is a desirable one
The timeframes proposed for approval of development means that councils will not be able to ensure that proposals respond to local conditions
The new system reduces the potential for dispute between neighbours regarding small residential proposals

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* 6. The White Paper is accompanied by two Exposure Bills to implement the legislative framework for the new system, Exposure Planning Bill 2013, which establishes the key provisions and Exposure Planning Administration Bill 2013 which provides for the establishment of planning bodies and other procedural matters. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement regarding the exposure bills?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
The exposure bills provide improved protection for the natural environment
The exposure bills provide improved protection for sites with heritage value
The exposure bills support communities to maintain their desired local character
The exposure bills support community participation in planning

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* 7. Overall how strongly would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the proposed new system?

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree/disagree Agree Strongly Agree UNSURE
The new system focuses on processes and does not adequately define the overarching objectives (or principles) that will guide planning
Replacing local representatives with expert decision making bodies is a major strength of the new system
The proposed changes will enable delivery of the type of housing that NSW needs
The new system will deliver significant economic benefits
The new system will deliver significant social benefits
The new system will deliver significant environmental benefits

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* 8. In comparison with the current system would you say that the proposed changes advantage or disadvantage any of the following groups?

  Advantage Disadvantage No Difference Unsure
Property developers
Local Government
Landowners
Neigbourhoods affected by proposed development

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* 9. Is your interest in the NSW Planning System MAINLY as:

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* 10. Are you directly employed in a planning related position in:

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* 11. Are your views represented by a professional, business or interest group that is involved in discussions about the proposed planning reforms?

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* 12. What is your gender?

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* 13. What is your age group?

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* 14. If you have any other comments about the White Paper, or general comments please make them here.

Thank you for completing our survey. Please click on the SUBMIT button below.

All responses will remain confidential. The results reported will not identify individual respondents

We propose to present the top line results of the survey to a forum in July. If you are interested in attending please email your name and contact details to this email address:
info@marketinfonow.com or jo@jkmsocial.com.au

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