Council is ecstatic following a nine-month audit of our development assessment processes which has resulted in no recommendations needing to be implemented.
Northern Beaches Council was one of three councils selected by the NSW Auditor-General to participate in a Performance Audit of Development Applications – Assessment and Determination Stages.
Over 4,700 development applications lodged and determined between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2021 with an estimated total construction cost of $1.8 billion were reviewed.
The audit reviewed how effectively council assessed and determined development applications, and whether the Department of Planning and Environment effectively supported independent planning panels to determine development applications in compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and government guidance.
The Auditor-General findings include:
- Council has established processes to support compliant and effective assessment and determination of development applications.
- Council has a clear governance and risk management framework for development assessment that sets out roles, responsibilities, and delegations.
- Council’s approach to managing conflicts of interest promotes transparency.
- Council has established processes to deliver consistent, quality assessment of development applications.
- Council transparently documents assessment reports, supporting information and determination outcomes; and
- Council has established processes to effectively support the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel.
In simple terms, council’s development assessment and determinations functions within a complex legislative environment are robust, transparent, efficient and we maintain the highest levels of integrity with a focus on continuous improvement.
The other councils who were also audited include Hills Shire Council and Byron Shire Council who are now required to implement the recommendations of the Auditor-Generals report.