Northern NSW council trying to ease state housing crisis by accelerating low-risk development applications

Applications for “low-risk” projects are due to get approved in under 20 days by one Northern Rivers council working to combat the housing crisis. Here's how it’s happening.

Clarence Valley Council now offers a streamlined development assessment process for new houses, additions, and secondary dwellings.

‘Mum and Dad style’ simple development applications (DAs) can now be approved in less than 20 days through a new Clarence Valley Council program – Accelerate.

The fast track program launched this month is designed to see smaller developments approved more quickly, hopefully helping to ease impacts of the state housing crisis.

Clarence Valley Council manager of development and planning Murray Lane said the program was aimed at relieving housing pressure and allowing council to focus on more complex DAs.

“It will see smaller developments – by more mum and dad type developers doing simple development applications – pop out of the system more quickly,” he said.

“But it will also allow staff to focus more on bigger, more complex development applications and get those out of the system more quickly as well, which can also address the housing crisis or be part of the solution.”

Clarence Valley Council manager of development and planning Murray Lane. Picture: Supplied

Accelerate on the council’s website covers new houses, single and two-storey additions and alterations, secondary dwellings, attached or detached and up to 60 square metres.

It can also be used for carports, garages, sheds, studios, swimming pools, decks and patios and demolition projects.

“Residents can apply for a new house and a secondary dwelling and get it approved in under 20 days,” Mr Lane said.

“The whole idea is that the smaller developers don’t get stuck behind other larger or more controversial DAs, and they get a reward for complying with the planning provisions, and get their approval as quickly as possible.”

In three months time, the council will review the accelerated program.

“Clarence Valley Council might then look to include dual occupancies and duplexes into the mix,” Mr Lane said.

“We’d also like to provide an accelerated construction certificate too.”