ALBURY councillors could be determining up to 100 development applications each year under changes made to the approval process on Monday night.
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It was replaced by a motion from deputy mayor Amanda Cohn which she described as a “better targeted response” to the issue and would result in any development greater than $500,000 (excluding single residential properties), a sub-division of 10 or more lots and any proposal which generates more than five objections coming to council for approval.
Planning director Michael Keys estimated there would be between 75 and 100 development applications coming to council under the three triggers put forward by Cr Cohn.
The bulk of them are presently done under staff delegation unless they are contentious in nature.
Cr Graham Docksey said the changes were unnecessary.
“It sends the wrong message to investors, those who want to develop in Albury and also inadvertently to our planning staff,” he said.
“I look around the profiles of my fellow councillors and I don’t see anyone who happens to be a certifier or building manger of any description.”
His comments upset Cr Darren Cameron, who argued councillors routinely approved development applications.
“Councillors do approve development applications across NSW because that is the law,” he said.
He cited the 424-lot Thurgoona Park North sub-division and the Riccardi family orchard sub-division in South Albury.
Cr Alice Glachan feared council would lose a reputation for “red carpet, not red tape” service in processing development applications.
“We don’t have a bad planning record in Albury and I don’t believe we’ve approved any clangers,” she said.
Mr Keys said it would be an “essential requirement” of planning staff to provide a thorough report on each development application.
The council also agreed to scrap its four committees and replace them with a second monthly council meeting despite opposition from Cr Glachan and Cr Docksey.
