City Futures Research Centre: Current Projects

Negotiating Development Approval in NSW: Recognising Formal and Informal Development Relations

Project Theme: Planning and Development
Commissioned by: UNSW Early Career Researchers Grant
Commencement: January 2008

City Futures Contact: Kristian Ruming , KristianR@fbe.unsw.edu.au

Description:

This research will provide the first systematic review of council policies which support or allow informal relations and negotiations in Australia . Such frameworks include Development Assessment Panels and approval appeals. The research will also explore the extent to which these structures are utilised in the development approval process through mobilising a Council Questionnaire. The questionnaire will explore the experiences of council in using the frameworks which support informal relations and negotiation, council opinions of the validity of such frameworks and review the types of developers who mobilise such frameworks for the purpose of securing development approval. To date no review of the issues/policies has been provided in the Australian context.

The objectives of the project are to explore the ways in which plans and development applications are negotiated through local council and the NSW Department of Planning. The aims of the project are:

•  To identify the extent to which informal associations/negotiations are promoted in council/state policy in NSW

•  To identify the extent to which councils in NSW experience negotiation over development approval, the extent to which the endorse/support they negotiation process and identify the type of development most likely to mobilise informal associations in their area

•  Complete a comprehensive review of Australian and international literature on informal associations and development negotiations

•  Submit a ARC Discovery application

To date little research has been conducted in Australia which explores the interaction of formal and informal relations in urban development and planning.

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS