Development Application Conflict of Interest Policy
Changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 commence on 3 April 2023 which have been introduced to strengthen accountability and transparency in the NSW planning system.
The changes include the requirement for NSW Councils to have a policy in place addressing how conflicts of interest will handled. Where Council is a developer, landowner or holds a commercial interest in the land whilst also acting as the regulator, conflicts of interest can potentially arise.
Other changes include:
- Council-related development applications must also be accompanied by either a management strategy statement, which explains how the Council will manage potential conflicts of interest, or a statement that the Council has no management strategy for the application.
- Councils must record conflicts of interest in connection with each council-related development application, and the measures taken to manage the conflicts, in their existing DA register.
- Council-related development applications must be exhibited for a minimum of 28 days to ensure transparency during the assessment process.
Council adopted the draft Council Related Development Application Conflict of Interest Policy for public exhibition at its meeting held Tuesday, 21 February 2023.
The draft Policy is available for viewing from Tuesday, 7 March 2023 until 5pm on Monday, 3 April 2023.
Any submissions with regard to the draft policy may be included without alteration (including names and addresses) in reports that are available to the public, and in Council business papers.
Submissions are invited during the exhibition period and must be made in writing to:
General Manager
Gilgandra Shire Council
PO Box 23
Gilgandra NSW 2827
Or, via the online feedback form below.
Or emailed with the subject heading Submissions: Draft Council Related Development Application Conflict of Interest Policy to council@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au
Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 3 April 2023.