The Business HIA welcomed Victoria’s review of planning and building approvals processes

An effective planning and building approvals system is fundamental for the operation of the residential construction industry. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Review of the “Planning and Building Approvals Processes” in 2019 and put forward a number of suggestions to improve the operation of the system from a home building perspective. HIA viewed this process as a significant opportunity to reform matters and participated extensively throughout the Review process.

The planning system does not require a complete overhaul. There are particular operational elements that could be improved within the current framework. The Review presented a significant opportunity to examine matters that currently result in a number of roadblocks that are the source of many delays and costs for builders and home owners.

Whilst presenting a full set of recommendations to the Review on statutory and strategic planning measures and building matters, the following provides some insights into the reforms HIA pursued around home building and dwellings approvals and the Commissioners final recommendations.

Simplifying planning approval requirements for single and small multi-unit dwellings

Planning approval for single dwellings should be a simple matter and applications should move through the planning system relatively smoothly, together with small multi-unit developments. Removing the lot size trigger for single dwellings on residentially zoned land and using the Building Regulations as the assessment tool is one measure that could help. Standards specific to small lots could be included and councils could approve any minor variations through existing processes.

HIA also examined other ways that small multi-unit developments applications could work better exploring a subdivision approval only – with siting and design matters to be dealt with under the Building Regulations. Also, an expanded VicSmart Plus assessment pathway which could allow for two dwellings per lot in a shorter timeframe.

The procedures around Requests for Further Information (RFI) with options for an agreed lists of basic information for all applicants and a quick appeals process for any unreasonable RFIs were also examined by HIA.

With post permit processes, HIA suggested that the processes for minor amendments could be improved. Particularly around amended plans to be approved in a shorter timeframe and suggestions were put forward to enable processes for potentially a quicker appeals pathway around this. Process improvements

Fiona Nield, Executive Director, Housing Industry Association Ltd

such as these would enable people to move forward with their home building projects once a permit has been issued without having to experience often costly unnecessary protracted delays during construction.

Some pre and post permit processes could benefit from some use of private certification - even if the use of private certifers was limited to pre-lodgement certification or post permit endorsement of plans. This could be utilised for those elements of the planning process that require very little or no discretion.

Smart Planning Program benefits

HIA highlighted to the Commissioner the positive outcomes for Victoria’s planning system as a result of the Smart Planning Program and the need for this to be integrated as part of the Commissioners ‘Planning and Building Approvals Process Review’. HIA also highlighted the need for further funding of Smart Planning Program to continue the rollout of system improvements.

Building approvals reforms

In terms of the building approvals system, HIA examined the differing asset protection and management plan requirements between councils and suggested that standardising these requirements together with model local laws would be a way forward. Also, even though the Building Act and Regulations have a system of building surveyors and inspectors, HIA has examined the large number of other private building inspectors and how to best ensure they are well qualified to work with builders and consumers. Finally HIA’s also looked at how to promote building surveying choice with more new entrants into this career path.

With the Commissioner extensively involving industry in this review, there is real cause for optimism. Many of the recommendations put forward by HIA were acknowledged in the recommendations suggested by the Commissioner including:

• Considerations which would provide for single dwelling applications to process through the planning system more smoothly. Including measures which would result in the removal of the lot sized trigger for single dwellings and the utilisation of faster planning processes for minor matters and small medium density housing applications;

• Expansion of the proposed VicSmart Plus assessment pathway to allow two dwellings per lot;

• Reducing requests for further information, including an agreed list of basic information for applications and the ‘pause the clock recommendation’;

• Streamlining the Planning Scheme Amendment process by reducing the embargo councils currently have over Panel

Reports from 28 days down to 7 days;

• Assisting councils to improve online planning permit application processing and tracking to increase transparency and reporting capabilities;

• Detailed reporting of various stages of a planning permit application to determine if there are common holds ups at a particular stage of an application;

• Reduce the time taken for response times from referral authorities;

• Better information and streamlined processes on secondary consent and planning permit amendment applications;

• Standardisation of construction management plans across municipalities and consistent model local laws and guidelines; and

• Establishing a new class of building surveyor for low-risk building work.

HIA is hopeful that this Review will lead to more effective and efficient outcomes from Victoria’s Planning and Building Approvals systems.

Fiona Nield is the Executive Director of the Housing Industry Association Victoria. Fiona has a background in town planning, regulatory systems and policy development