Professionals Gosford An announcement by NSW State\Minister Stokes on 29 August 2019 to establish a Local Planning and Assessment Panel for the Central Coast has been welcomed by the Region.
In 2018 the Chamber of Commerce wrote to then Planning Minister, the Hon. Anthony Roberts MP requesting consideration for an Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) or similar in order to establish a clear planning process for the region. This process would position Gosford and the Central Coast alongside other key development regions such as the Illawarra and the Lower Hunter.
Chamber President Rod Dever said “Today’s announcement by the Minister delivers a consistency in the development process. This can now remove the local blockages to progress” said Mr Dever. “It is certainly an exciting announcement which we are pleased to hear”, he said.
“Having a skilled and experienced panel of independent assessors is what has been missing from the region. This panel, once established, will play a major role in making development happen. Development that is in line with local and state planning controls and the vision for the Coast’s future is certainly welcomed”.
The announcement will deliver greater confidence to those who are willing to invest in the region. It provides a framework and process that will be fair and consistent and remove some of the delays in kick starting the region and continuing the development for the future.