By Andrew Cantwell
The City of Casey wants no repeat of the issues that sparked an IBAC inquiry and led to the dismissal of its elected council by the State Government, and has moved to radically reform its planning policies and procedures.
New councillors, when elected in 2024, will have no doubt as to their hands-off role in the new planning process.
Under a new policy adopted by interim administrator Noelene Duff, council planners will determine most day-to-day applications under delegated powers.
Planners will also have the power to reject applications which don’t meet “strategic policy or statutory requirements”.
Councillors will have the responsibility to set ‘vision, policy and direction’ and will only be involved directly in a planning matter if there are more than 20 objections.
Direct dealings with developers will also be discouraged, and any contacts reported under the strict policy.
Instead, councillors will need to direct inquiries to council planning staff or the council website.
Councillors will also be forbidden from ‘lending support’ or advocating for or against developments.
They must also approach any planning matters with an open mind, having regard only to the planning issues involved.
The moves are designed to have councillors recognise their arms-length role as both a ‘local planning authority’ and a ‘responsible authority’, charged with making responsible and impartial decisions under State planning law.
The new policy will help bring certainty and clarity to residents and developers – and to new councillors in the times ahead.
