NSW Labor plans public scrutiny for projects worth more than $1 billion will stop overdevelopment

Every NSW project worth more than $1 billion would be scrutinised by a major public inquiry before­ gaining the tick of approval under Labor’s first policy tackling overdevelopment with new Labor Leader Michael Daley saying it would end “secrecy and bungles”.

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Major new Sydney infrastructure projects including the light rail would be subject to large-scale public inquiries before they get the green light, under one of new Labor Leader Michael Daley’s first policies.

Mr Daley pledged that the Public Planning Inquiries would end “secrecy and bungles”.

Under the inquiries, no project worth more than $1billion would be granted approval or have work begin until a full business case is publicly provided and independent experts have comprehensively assessed the project.

Labor is proposing a ‘fully transparent process’ that would allow for full community consultation and input. Picture: Jenny Evans

This would be a fully transparent process and would also allow for full community consultation and input.

The feasibility of all options would then be considered in the full glare of the public, with witnesses called to give evidence and to disclose reports and proceedings. The pledge attempts to tackle voter anger over projects such as the delay-plagued light rail and ongoing stadium revamps.

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NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley.

Both sides of politics have internal polling which ranks overdevelopment as one of the top issues angering voters in the lead-up to next year’s state election. The major parties are each trying to find a way to address the problem in voters’ minds and this policy will form part of Labor’s arsenal on that front.

“This will prevent wasteful disasters like the Sydney light rail and vanity projects like stadium rebuilds,” Mr Daley said of his Public Planning Inquiries.

“For too long decisions that affect the public have been made behind closed doors.

“This has to end. I want to bring transparency back to the planning for Sydney.”

He added: “The developers and builders get to have their say — so why not communities and independent experts?”

The inquiry will be chaired by a single commissioner who will sit on each PPI addressing each project.

Mr Daley has been contemplating the model for some time, and was particularly inspired when Sir David Higgins spoke at last year’s Bradfield Oration about the scale of public consultation for the Hs2 fast train in the United Kingdom.

Sir David’s address helped Mr Daley form the view that this was the right way to approach major infrastructure decisions — with extensive consultation.

Labor believes the model proposed by Daley would be superior to anything currently used in Australia.

Queensland has a process that brings in independent experts at different stages of the infrastructure building process to provide assurance.

The Daley model would be more public and transparent, Labor believes.