Planning reforms support disaster victims to rebuild homes

Council resolved to make changes to local planning laws to support homeowners wanting to repair or replace homes destroyed by a natural disaster.

The changes to the local planning laws will protect home owners who have lost homes through a natural disaster from being forced to meet changes in planning controls or development standards in the intervening years since the homes were originally constructed. Under the changes council cannot refuse a DA on the basis it does not comply with a development standard or other provision in the applicable LEP.

Councillor Paul Packham spoke in firm support of the proposed planning reforms and requested council make a further commitment under policy to permit, where possible, the repair and rebuild of buildings without the need for the DA, and investigate an appropriate reduction in DA fees for replacement buildings that do require a DA.

“I want council to provide every assistance possible to people who are affected by natural disasters to get their homes and their lives back on track as soon as possible and with the least financial burden possible,” concluded Cr Packham. Council will now refer the proposed reforms to the NSW Government to seek their endorsement prior to them coming into effect.

Published on 17 May 2022