The release of the Report on the PTCS Committee Inquiry into the Planning Bill 2022 today has further called into doubt the significant proposed changes to the ACT’s planning system following criticism of the Bill’s governance arrangements and difficult consultation process.

Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management, Peter Cain, said that the committee’s report reflects the concerns of the community, industry, and environmental groups on a range of matters regarding the Planning Bill 2022 and the broader ACT Planning System Review and Reform Project.

“The committee’s findings are largely indicative of what I have been hearing from the various interest groups invested in the development and outcome of these proposed reforms,” Mr Cain said.

“The need to review the governance and administrative arrangements is of the utmost importance. Conducting extensive and effective consultations with interest groups is of the utmost importance.

“Community, industry, and environmental groups have been saying these things for years, yet the Planning Minister has refused to listen throughout this process time and time again.

“The recommendations made by the PTCS committee highlight the dictatorial nature of this review and the dysfunction of this Labor-Greens government.

“Planning review and reform must come from listening to the community, industry, and environmental groups to achieve a fair and functional balance between these interests.

“As evidenced by this committee report, the Labor-Greens government have completely failed to listen, failed to consider, and failed Canberrans,” Mr Cain concluded.

The Canberra Liberals member on the committee recommended the bill not pass.