Open Data

The data in this publication provides an overview of trends in development applications processed by the 152 councils in NSW.

In 2006, the Department of Planning introduced a new system for regular performance reporting on the local development planning system, based on development application data collected by councils. This new system will have important long term benefits for State and local government, the development industry and the community. Performance data on local development assessment will assist in ensuring that the legislative framework, planning policy and planning practice are all functioning effectively. In particular, it will help to:

• monitor the performance of councils in planning and development matters
• monitor the performance of State agency referrals and integrated approvals
• monitor key aspects of planning and development assessment systems and identify areas where further streamlining of current procedures and practices could occur
• assist in early identification of emerging trends and provide a lead for ongoing system improvement and management
• assist in improving the public accountability of the system by establishing performance measures and benchmarks based on comparable data available.

The information contained in this report was collected by surveying all councils on development applications (DAs), complying development certificates (CDCs) and postdevelopment consent (building and subdivision) certificates processed during 2005–06.

Prior to this survey, the only published data on planning and development matters was the Comparative Information on NSW Local Government Councils produced annually by the Department of Local Government, which provides key performance indicators for various local government operations. The four broad performance indicators for planning and development services contained in the Department of Local Government comparative information are:

• number of DAs determined
• mean time in calendar days for determining DAs
• median time in calendar days for determining DAs
• legal expenses to total planning and development costs.

The Department of Planning’s Local Development Performance Monitoring supplements this comparative information by focusing specifically on development assessment matters dealt with by local government. The range of information collected through the Department of Planning’s performance reporting system is much more comprehensive than that contained in the Comparative Information on NSW Local Government Councils publication and covers the following areas:

• volume of applications lodged and determined
• staff involved in DA processing
• time taken to determine DAs by estimated development value
• value of approved DAs
• nature of DA determinations
• modifications and reviews
• court cases and legal expenses
• certificates issued post-development consent
• obstacles to efficient DA processing
• council initiatives to improve DA processing.