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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationACT Government must drop its 'legal aid for NIMBYs'
ACT Government must drop its 'legal aid for NIMBYs'
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“While on one hand Labor has committed to seeing 30,000 new homes in the ACT by the end of 2030, on the other the government is actively putting hurdles in the way of getting new housing approved,” said Greg Weller, HIA Executive Director ACT/Southern NSW.
“A government tender which has recently closed, is to set up the Independent Planning Advisory Service (IPAS), which will include legal and planning expertise, and provide support to lodge objections to housing development applications.
“The service will be a two-year pilot and will assist third parties that are trying to stop a development in Canberra or fight a planning decision.
“The service can best be described as ‘legal aid for NIMBYs’.
“HIA has been using debate around the upcoming election to release policy ideas that help build more houses – this is a plan to do the opposite. We have not seen anything like this elsewhere in the country.”
Mr Weller also questioned the point of this service in light of the many years and resources put into the new planning system – which also includes a public helpline.
“The paint is barely dry on the ACT’s new planning system - which is being cited as one of the pillars of government’s plan to unlock more housing development – yet at the same time a new unit of government is being set up to give legal advice on how to fight against it.
“The planning system has well established mechanisms to provide public notification of proposed developments, and pathways for people to seek more information or object to a project.
“Therefore, the creation of the IPAS service is hardly a vote of confidence that the planning system and mechanisms around it are fit for purpose,” concluded Mr Weller.
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