Sustainable Planning Bill passed in Parliament

The Sustainable Planning Act 2009 ( 2.6 MB) was passed by Parliament on 16 September 2009. To assist with understanding the differences between the Integrated Planning Act and the Sustainable Planning Act,the department has developed a comprehensive guide to what has changed with Queensland’s planning laws, From IPA to SPA ( 500 KB).

This new legislation:

• shifts the focus from planning process to delivering sustainable outcomes
• reduces complexity through standardisation
• adopts a risk management approach to development assessment
• introduces a broader range of opportunities for people to reach agreement and resolve disputes
• provides improved opportunities for the community to understand and participate in the planning system.

These changes will assist in delivering a contemporary planning, development and building system that can provide sustainable development outcomes for all Queenslanders.

Your guide to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 ( 728 KB) has been developed to assist with understanding the legislation. A short summary of what’s changed and why, Proposed changes to planning and development in Queensland ( 97.7 KB), is also available.,

Focus on sustainable outcomes

The new legislation requires a shift away from focusing on planning processes to the delivery of sustainable outcomes. These outcomes will be delivered by:

• improved tools for State and local government to manage planning and development proactively
• reduced complexity through greater standardisation
• adopting a risk-management approach to development assessment
• streamlined dispute resolution processes
• encouraging active community participation in the planning and development assessment system.

As Australia’s fastest-growing state, Queensland needs a contemporary system of planning and development assessment. The Sustainable Planning Act 2009 delivers this.

What you need to know and do

We’ve outlined the key changes from the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA) to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA).

This information will assist you to prepare for the commencement of SPA, including any process changes required. We’ll also be releasing supporting information and conducting training over the next few months specifically designed to help you transition to SPA.

Note: Until SPA commences (in late 2009), IPA continues to have effect and so there are no changes to any existing processes at this stage.

Planning instruments

Planning instruments made under the IPA will continue to have effect under SPA.

An innovation in SPA is the creation of a standard approach to planning schemes to improve community engagement and understanding of planning. The draft standard planning scheme provisions - the Queensland Planning Provisions – will be available for public consultation in late September.

Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) forms and Smart eDA

SPA maintains the benefits of an integrated development assessment system and enables the use of electronic planning tools such as Smart eDA (electronic Development Assessment).

Updated IDAS forms and changes to Smart eDA will be ready when the Act commences.

Transitioning from IPA to SPA

The transitional provisions of SPA have been designed to minimise disruption and to ensure all processes started under IPA can be completed under IPA.Development approvals given under IPA will continue to have effect under SPA.

The next steps

To assist the community to prepare for the commencement of SPA, we will be:

• delivering SPA and QPlan training and workshops in regional centres across Queensland
• inviting you to have your say on the draft Queensland Planning Provisions
• attending and conducting workshops at upcoming conferences and industry events
• rolling out Smart eDA to more localities and providing state-wide training to users
• delivering updated IDA forms and guidelines for the commencement of SPA
• continuing with the planning reform agenda.

Further information

Background

Sustainable Planning Bill 2009

On 19 June 2009 the Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 ( 2.8 MB) was tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe. A short summary of the changes ( 98 KB) and the Minister’s Parliamentary speech from 19 June 2009 ( 1.2 MB) are available.

This Bill is a result of extensive consultation and implements a number of the reform actions in Planning for a Prosperous Queensland - A reform agenda ( 970 KB) for planning and development in the Smart State.

Some of the changes and benefits in the Bill are highlighted in the below Ministerial media releases:

• Community to benefit from new planning and development rules
• Councils still key players in planning reform

In 2006, the state government, in partnership with stakeholders, industry and the community, conducted an extensive review of IPA and IDAS. This review resulted in the Queensland Government adopting a reform agenda called "Planning for a Prosperous Queensland: A reform agenda for planning and development in the Smart State".

Download the report or the related highlights document:

• Report highlights ( 335 KB)
• Part one - Reform Agenda full report ( 970 KB)
• Part two - Reform Agenda consultation summary ( 388 KB)

Key drivers for reform

Some of the key drivers for the reform of Queensland’s planning and development system are its booming population and the decline in housing affordability.

Growth in Queensland

Queensland is likely to have approximately 2.4 million households by 2026 – an increase of more than one million households from 2001. The rate of household growth will actually exceed the population growth rate, as current trends indicate most future households will contain one or two people. This unprecedented growth needs to be accommodated in balance with our existing high quality of neighbourhoods in which we live, the beautiful and pristine environments in which we play and the dynamic and prosperous economy in which we work.