Australian Financial Review, 18 Feb, 2012

What are the drivers to improve? External drivers Poor public and business perception and understanding of planning The Auditor General’s reports (May & Nov 2008) on the planning system and other reports by the Essential Services Commission, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission and the Productivity Commission MAV Insurance report planning related failures as one of the greatest areas of risk to councils. Sector drivers The ability to influence the State Government with sound, evidence based material Internal drivers Ongoing resource constraints and a planning skills shortage The increasing costs of providing planning services The fallout and reputational cost of time delays

Councils are also required to constantly report on their performance….

What is STEP planning? The STEP planning program is a low cost, structured and supported way to regularly review and demonstrate improvement to planning services. The STEP planning process improvement program is the newest MAV STEP program developed cooperatively with councils.

What are we trying to achieve? The STEP planning program will: Show leadership through self reform Act as catalyst to realise significant improvement and convergence in practice Share information and good practices Reduce compliance risks Improve engagement with government and industry Create an evidence base to celebrate successes and better respond to criticism GOAL To improve performance and demonstrate accountability in the administration, management and delivery of planning services by councils in Victoria.

Which Gippsland councils are involved? Bass Coast Shire Council Baw Baw Shire Council Latrobe Shire Council South Gippsland Shire Council

What have we found to be common issues with referrals? Response times and consistency Poorly drafted conditions Lack of backup when application gets to VCAT Absence of policy objective for referrals Responses contradictory to other authorities

Planning permit complexity Assessment phase Decision phase Assessment Application details Submissions/o bjections Referral responses Permit decision Planning scheme controls Input phase Internal referral responses

Streaming permit applications… they are not all the same 4 major pathways

How many applications are affected by referrals? Council% ReferralHow many referral authorities? Bass Coast50%10 Baw 37%9 East Gippsland48%8 Latrobe64%8 South Gippsland53%10 Wellington70%10 Gippsland average54%9 Rural average48%

Referrals have a major influence on permit timeframes Average is always higher Timeframes often blowout

Responses are inconsistent Average response time can be high….. This process is lengthy and highly variable This process is in control…..

With data comes responsibility…. Councils now have a better understanding the influences on their business processes and are taking actions to improve their efficiency. Looking first at getting their ‘own houses’ in order – Pathways 1 and 2. Looking to the MAV/State Government/Referral Authorities to identify and broker improvements to referral processes.

Thank you