ALBURY Council has responded to the increasing time taken to process development applications by relaxing changes brought in last year which meant less applications were being done under staff delegation.
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The turnaround for determining applications in Albury has risen by 16 "gross" days between 2016 and 2018.
They were changed this week to applications of more than $1 million and subdivisions wanting to create 10 or more lots.
The remainder will be done by staff delegation unless they are controversial.
Processing time blowouts have been attributed, in part, to increasing complexity of proposals, government agency referral delays and staffing shortages.
Despite more applications coming to council in 2018 it still determined 732 applications at a value of $205 million.
Cr Murray King said the changes made last year were justified.
"There were buildings popping up and things going on I had absolutely no idea what they were about," he said.
"The relationship I believe I have now with the planning department is excellent.
"I know there was a bit of hysteria when this started, but it has all settled down."
"This brings it back to a more manageable level for staff, but still allows those of us who want to scrutinise things more closely to be able to do so," she said.
Cr David Thurley described the changes as a "sensible compromise" for all parties.
Deputy mayor Amanda Cohn agreed with the dollar value being increased, but wanted to continue to be able to scrutinise all subdivisions.
"I obviously have a great interest in greenfield subdivisions," she said.
"The number of applications referred to us because of the number of lots is extremely low."
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