Council backflip prompts scrutiny

Bid to cut red tape

THE state government says it is reviewing the red tape faced by councils when it comes to resource sharing, after a small council waved through a big development because it could not afford a legal challenge.

Estimated legal fees of $100,000 and perceived low chance of success at appeal caused Flinders Council to backflip on a decision to refuse a multi million-dollar development featuring a residence and two large wind turbines.

The project, planned for Potboil Rd, White Beach, was knocked back by the council 12 months ago because it was more than double the 8m height considered acceptable under the council’s planning scheme.

It had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The proponent flagged a challenge to Flinders Council’s decision at the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, with a hearing scheduled for this month.

The incident has raised concerns about the ability of smaller councils to properly assess large developments.

A spokeswoman for the state government said it was reviewing the red tape faced by small councils.

“It is the responsibility of each council, when acting as the responsible planning authority, to consider the formal advice from their planning experts when considering development applications,” the spokes woman said.

“We want to ensure local councils are well placed to address their long-term sustainability challenges whilst meeting modern service delivery expectations.

“The government’s review of the local government legislative framework is focused on reducing red tape and removing barriers to council collaboration and innovation to ensure they can be sustainable into the future,” the spokeswoman said.

Under the local government reforms flagged by the state government in April, legal and administrative barriers to collaboration across councils will be removed.

The changes will include clarification about the extent to which delegations can be given and exercised and will enable two or more councils to be serviced by one administrative organisation.

There forms also allow voluntary council amalgamations.

Apropos alto introduce regional councils was scrapped.

Consultation on a draft Local Government Bill is due to occur early next year.