Council posts improved Development Application processing times
The Department of Local Government’s (DLG) newly released Development Application processing figures show Wingecarribee Shire Council is performing above its peers.
Statistics released show Wingecarribee Shire Council as having processed 820 Development Applications during the 2010/11 reporting period.
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Manager of Environmental Assessment Les Pawlak, said Council had determined the third highest number of Development Applications within its category.
“Our figure of 820 Development Applications determined over the past 12 months is well above the group average of 484.
“Only Port Stephens and Clarence Valley Councils dealt with more applications,” he said.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is benchmarked against 30 similar sized regional local government areas including Bathurst, Bega, Goulburn, Kiama, Orange, Shellharbour and Wagga.
The value of the applications was also significantly higher than the category average.
“The value of our determined Development Applications was $133.5 million. This was the 4th highest dollar value and again, considerably more than the $91.5 million category average,” Mr Pawlak added.
Council’s Mean Nett determination period time of 33 days also bettered the category average.
“This figure is the amount of time the development application spent in Council’s hands.
“Our figure of 33 days is a slight improvement over our previous year’s figure of 34 days,” Mr Pawlak said.
Council’s Median Nett determination result of 24 days also came under the group average of 25 days.
“Obviously there is still room for improvement, and this is why Council continues to review its application processes.
“Council will continue to place a high priority on this area over the next 12 months,” Mr Pawlak said.
“In the interim, residents and developers can rest assured Council is committed to customer service and will continue to assess appropriate developments sympathetic to the Shire in a timely manner”.
For further information contact Wingecarribee Shire Council on phone 4868 0888.