Zombies are among us – you’ve possibly noticed them in your neighbourhood.
Zombie developments are proposed buildings that were approved years, maybe decades ago, but were never completed.
In fact, you might say they were only ever minimally started.
And if they were to recommence building now, these buildings could be built to the standards at the time of approval.
The NSW Government’s Committee on Environment and Planning is conducting an inquiry into “zombie” or historical development approvals.
The Legislative Assembly committee wants to know what legal and policy changes need to be made to solve the issue.
The Committee is seeking submissions from councils, businesses and the people who live near or are affected by this issue.
The terms of reference include the current legal framework for development consents, including the physical commencement test and the impacts of the uncertain status of lawfully commenced development consents as well as any barriers and possible policy and legal options to address historical development consents, particularly the non-completion of consents that cannot lapse.
The closing date for submissions is June 3.
Here’s the link: (it’s worth clicking just to see the zombie video): https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3037#tab-termsofreference
See also the committee’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NSWAssembly
Merilyn Vale