Central Coast Council has taken another step in improving land use planning by adopting a new policy to help resolve disputes through mediation.
The Land Use Planning Pre-Determination Mediation Policy provides a process where applicants and representors can meet with Council staff and try to negotiate a win-win outcome. Where appropriate, any agreement reached will be reflected in permit conditions and/or changes to the applicant’s proposal.
While the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act provides for mediation, it is not often promoted or encouraged by councils. By establishing a clear policy and process, Council hopes that some disputed development applications will be resolved in this way – reducing the angst and expense associated with appeals, and ultimately leading to better development outcomes.
Central Coast Mayor, Cr Cheryl Fuller, said it was another example of Council’s commitment to better planning processes.
“Over the past few years, we have steadily improved our approach to land use planning. We’ve brought our Planning, Building and Plumbing staff together under one team and more recently exempted smaller developments from public open space contributions to make them simpler and more affordable,” the Mayor said.
Under the new policy, Council staff will consider whether an application is suitable for mediation after reviewing the proposal and any representations raised during the public notification period. No fee will be charged, although the impact on Council resources will need to be monitored over time.
The Land Use Planning Pre-Determination Mediation Policy is available to download here.