Daily Telegraph’s view: Erno Rubik himself couldn’t fix NSW’s planning after complicated flowchart revealed

Many who have repeatedly tried to solve the Rubik’s Cube (and repeatedly failed) may have wished for a way to get their revenge on Erno. Well, we in NSW have just the thing.

Hungarian genius Erno Rubik is, as his name suggests, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, which has been infuriating people worldwide since its introduction 50 years ago.

Many who have repeatedly tried to solve the cube (and repeatedly failed) may have wished for a way to get their revenge on Erno.

Well, we in NSW have just the thing, because Rubik’s Cube is an absolute doddle compared with the NSW housing planning system.

Just flick back to the front of today’s edition of The Daily Telegraph and behold again the wickedly convoluted way that this state allegedly “plans” housing.

The snakes and ladders flowchart is hindering our planning

Now 80 and still sharp, Erno would likely be as mystified by our planning graphic as many of us were by his multi-sided puzzle.

For that matter, even the mathematical geniuses who cracked the Enigma Code in World War II might come up short if confronted by NSW Planning’s bureaucratic monstrosity.

This cauldron of complexity has come to light thanks to Premier Chris Minns requesting from planning boffins a guide to exactly how the development approval system works.

Even the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube would fail at solving the planning puzzle.

NSW Premier Chris Minns is livid about the situation. Picture: John Appleyard

As The Daily Telegraph reports, some applicants have to work their way through almost 50 individual steps before getting an occupation certificate for their proposed building.

As you’d expect, additional steps are often involved.

Premier Minns is understandably livid about the whole situation.

“This map shows just how confused, complicated and absurd the system that we inherited is.

Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik would be baffled by the one-pager. Picture: AFP

It shows the scale of the problem and why change is so necessary,” the premier said.

“You’d be forgiven for thinking this map is a game of snakes and ladders, not a process that should exist to help get much needed homes built across out state.”

If only it was as simple as a game of snakes and ladders.

This planning process is more like a battle with real snakes on a ladder that’s been set on fire.

Minns now says a “major” overhaul of the housing approval process is under way. Here’s a tip from our Rubik’s Cube experts: The third layer is the hardest.

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