‘Numerous forms lead to increased cost for house buyers’

THE Urban Taskforce group has said councils are increasing the cost of housing by asking for numerous reports to build a single home — and Bayside is the worst offender.

Chris Johnson has said we are in danger of becoming a nanny state. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian

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COUNCILS are increasing the cost of housing by requiring developers to submit numerous unnecessary reports, a planning expert has said.

The NSW Urban Taskforce group said Bayside Council was the worst offender in Sydney with 27 forms needed to apply to build a home.

“Each of these reports costs the applicant a significant amount of money which just increases the cost of housing, ” Urban Taskforce chief executive Chris Johnson said.

“Some of the reports are necessary but many are not.

Chris Johnson has said planners need to submit 27 forms to build a single house in Bayside.

“Council planners are very risk-adverse and want multiple reports to justify decisions. I think it is probably driven by the likes of ICAC. We’re becoming a nanny state and it is driving up house prices.”

Urban Taskforce, which represents developers in Australia, looked at councils across Sydney.

Compared to Bayside’s 27 reports, Randwick Council requires 14 — one of the lowest amounts across Sydney. In Blacktown 10 are needed, while in Campbelltown it is just four.

Bayside also tops the list for reports needed for dual occupancy and semi-detached dwellings, with 33. It is also towards the top of the list for residential flat buildings and boarding houses.

Among the reports required by councils are acid sulfate soils report, air quality report, asbestos management plan and flora assessments.

Chris Johnson said we are fast becoming a nanny state

“It’s got out of control,” Mr Johnson said. “The NSW Government needs to review this.”

Bayside Council dismissed the findings.

“There are no more or less forms required for the submission of a DA than any other council,” a spokesman said.

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