7 September 2017 – Media Release
A 12 month review into the Cumberland Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) has found Council’s approach to be an unequivocal success, with 71 planning related matters successfully handled over a 15 month period.
The panel will continue with only minor changes after amendments to the policy were adopted at last night’s Council Meeting. These take into account recent learning by Council staff and the introduction of new legislation mandating similar panels in all Sydney councils.
Cumberland Council’s outgoing Administrator Viv May said the Cumberland IHAP had played an indispensable role in restoring the local community’s faith in planning processes.
“The establishment of Cumberland IHAP was one of the first decisions the newly formed Cumberland Council made back in May 2016,” said Mr May.
“The independent body was formed to determine development applications and make recommendations on planning proposals, at arm’s length from the political arena.
“Independent planning panels validate or expose the professionalism of reporting staff. Having a group of suitably qualified planning and urban design experts watching over their shoulder keeps reporting staff on their toes.
“From its inception the Cumberland model stood out amongst the 15 similar panels operating in NSW. Firstly, our panel included a community representative alongside the three planning experts.
“Cumberland IHAP also had the authority to determine development applications, make recommendations on planning proposals and advise the Administrator on Council planning policy, including planning strategies, Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Planning Agreements and Development Control Plans (DCPs).
“This was about more than an additional layer of probity. It gave stakeholders, whether applicants, community members or objectors, an independent forum where their voices could be heard on planning issues.
“The recent state government’s decision to require all Sydney councils to have independent panels isn’t a major change for us. We’re already doing it.
“If anything Cumberland Council has served as a model for other Sydney councils to follow.
“Cumberland shows what can be achieved in planning when you get the right mix of planning expertise, transparent and accountable processes and community input.”
