Robert Stokes first became NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces on 2 April 2019 and retained that ministry after Liberal MLA for Epping Dominic Perrottet became NSW Premier in October 2021.
In December 2021 Stokes by way of ministerial directive initiated nine guiding principles of planning reform which he broadly believed would assist government to deliver all the new homes forecast to be required by 2036.
According to Lindsay Taylor Lawyers, 3 December 2021:
On 2 December 2021, the NSW Government published 11 new thematic State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) as part of a consolidation process to simplify the State’s planning policies. All 11 consolidated SEPPs will commence on 1 March 2022.
The consolidated SEPPs are aligned to the Minister’s Planning Principles also released by the Minister for Planning on the same day1.
The Planning Principles were grouped into the following nine key themes to guide planning and development in New South Wales:
Planning systems — A strategic and inclusive planning system for the community and the environment;
Design and place — Delivering well-designed places that enhance quality of life, the environment and the economy;
Biodiversity and conservation — Preserving, conserving and managing NSW’s natural environment and heritage;
Resilience and hazards — Managing risks and building resilience in the face of hazards;
Transport and infrastructure — Providing well-designed and located transport and infrastructure integrated with land use;
Housing — Delivering a sufficient supply of safe, diverse and affordable housing;
Industry and employment — Growing a competitive and resilient economy that is adaptive, innovative and delivers jobs;
Resources and energy — Promoting the sustainable use of NSW’s resources and transitioning to renewable energy;
Primary production — Protecting and supporting agricultural lands and opportunities for primary production.
On 19 December 2021 Premier Perrottet announced a reshuffling his Cabinet.
NSW Liberal MLA for Pittwater with a PhD in Planning Law Robert Stokes ceased being Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and on 21 December became Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Cities, Minister for Active Transport.
At the same time Liberal MP for Lane Cove with a Master of Arts (Organisational Communication) Anthony Roberts ceased being the Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections and on 21 December became Minister for Planning, Minister for Homes, whose planning duties were formerly within the now defunct Ministry for Planning and Public Spaces.
Thus 2021 NSW leadership rival Stokes seemingly disliked by the Premier, big developers and councils alike for his reform agenda had been well and truly replaced by a minister who is clearly in the Perrottet pro-development at any price camp. There was a faint hint of revenge floating through the air at the time.
What could possibly go wrong? Well this……...
The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 March 2022:
NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts scrapped a requirement to consider the risks of floods and fires before building new homes only two weeks after it came into effect and while the state was reeling from a deadly environmental disaster.
Mr Roberts last week revoked a ministerial directive by his predecessor Robert Stokes outlining nine principles for sustainable development, including managing the risks of climate change, a decision top architects have branded “short-sighted” and hard to understand.
But a spokesperson for Mr Roberts said the minister had been “given a clear set of priorities to deliver a pipeline of new housing supply and act on housing affordability” by Premier Dominic Perrottet.
The president of the NSW chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, Laura Cockburn, said the decision was difficult to understand “after the recent devastating floods and with bushfires still scorched in our memory”.
The revoked directives had sought to address “risk-management and resilience-building in the face of such disasters”, Ms Cockburn said.
“In the midst of our current flood and housing crises, why would a government choose to remove planning principles aimed at disaster resilience, and delivering affordable housing?” she said. “This is a short-sighted decision that could have enduring negative impacts.”
Mr Roberts’ spokesperson said: “The minister did not consider that the planning principles due to take effect on March 1 would assist in delivering his priorities so discontinued the principles and issued a new ministerial direction to that effect.”
Mr Roberts’ move coincides with expectations the government will also scrap or substantially change the new Design and Place State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) under consideration for apartments and homes. The policy stresses sustainability, quality and liveability by requiring, for example, better ventilation.
Mr Stokes’ directive on sustainable development, issued on December 2 but in effect from March 1, was designed to simplify the planning system, cut red tape and put people first. It said housing should meet the needs of the present “without compromising those of the future”. It was scrapped on March 14.
These principles are also reflected in the new design policy developed by the office of the State Architect. It is being reviewed.
Mr Stokes directed the planning department, developers and councils to also consult Indigenous landowners, consider the risk of climate change, and provide the public with information about the risks of natural disasters where they developed, lived or worked.
“Land use should be compatible with the level of risk of an area, such as open space or playing fields in flood-prone locations,” Mr Stokes’ statement of principles said.
Many in the property industry expect Mr Roberts will abandon plans for the new Design and Place SEPP……
Stephen Albin, an analyst and principal of consultants Urbanised, advised Mr Stokes on the scotched principles.
He was disappointed to see Mr Stokes’ principles abandoned when NSW’s planning system needed reform. “The definition of stupidity is doing something again and again, and expecting another result,” he said. “We wanted a modern planning system that was inclusive.”…..
1. All copies of the Stokes version of Minister’s Planning Principles have been removed from NSW Government websites and replaced by Robert’s new version.
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