Economic Support Instrument

Amendments have been made to the Planning Regulation 2017 to allow local governments to reduce red tape and simplify planning processes to support economic recovery in response to the impacts of COVID-19.

The amendments include providing for 'Economic support instruments' which provide local governments with a quick 'opt-in' method to support local economic growth by reducing levels of assessment for development that could reasonably be expected in that zone.

Council 'opted in' to a number of these provisions by adopting an 'Economic support instrument' on 18 November 2020. An adoption notice was published on 19 November 2020, and the Economic support instrument has effect from that date.

The instrument will remain in place until 31 December 2023, unless earlier revoked by Council. In accordance with Part 12, Section 75 of the Planning Regulation 2017, the Economic Support Instrument is taken to end on the 31 December 2023 even though the Economic Support Instrument states the end date is 17 September 2021.

The Economic support instrument:

• reduces the level of assessment from Impact assessment to Code assessment for certain land uses;
• makes minor extensions to certain land uses of up to 10% or 100m2 (whichever is lesser) Accepted development, provided setback requirements are maintained, the building work is not undertaken on or adjacent to a State or Local heritage place, and there is no operational works for vegetation clearing or reduction in parking or landscaping; and
• makes certain Material changes of use in existing buildings Accepted development.