COUNCIL ACHIEVES REMARKABLE REDUCTIONS IN DA PROCESSING TIMES
Published on 29 July 2024
Glen Innes Severn Council has successfully reduced the average determination time for Development Applications (DAs) from 89 days to just 36 days, despite a 72 per cent increase in the number of DAs received from 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Of equal importance is the performance of Council in processing 10.7 certificates - which provide information on any controls, requirements and restrictions impacting property use – with 94 per cent of these being issued within seven days of payment, equating to just five business days.
During this quarter, Council faced a backlog and was under-resourced, with reduced internal planning resources since September 2023 leading to reliance on contractors and longer determination timeframes. To address the high waiting times for existing DAs, some of which were between 100 and 200 days, Council reviewed and made substantial changes to its contracting arrangements and internal processes to enhance efficiency and streamline operations.
Glen Innes Severn Council General Manager Bernard Smith said the Planning and Development team has undertaken substantial efforts to address a backlog of DAs and improve processing times.
“The concerning backlog and under-resourcing in the past quarters posed significant challenges. However, key changes in contracting arrangements have facilitated quicker turnaround times, with the average processing time for DAs dropping by nearly 50 per cent in June compared to previous months,” said Mr Smith.
“We continue to support applicants in navigating the portal efficiently to ensure that applications are complete and accurate upon submission.”
Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham agreed that Council’s changes to its contracting arrangements and internal processes have streamlined the development process and significantly reduced determination time.
“These improvements in processing times have not only addressed the backlog but have also set a new standard for efficiency and reliability in handling future development applications,” Cr Banham said.
Council expects the positive trend in DA processing times to continue, with further reductions anticipated as the backlog diminishes. Glen Innes Severn Council remains committed to maintaining this momentum and providing timely, efficient services to support the development and growth of the community.