Chamber supports 10 day planning approval system for NSW businesses

Illawarra's leading business organisation, Illawarra Business Chamber supports the new 10 day planning approval system for businesses in NSW that will reduce planning red tape and save businesses potentially thousands of dollars.

Under the current system, business owners are required to lodge a development application with local councils when moving into or renovating a new shop for simple changes like shelving and signage. Under the new NSW Commercial and Industrial Code announced today by Planning Minister Kristina Keneally, business owners will be able to use a 10 day "checklist style" approval instead of having to lodge a development application which takes an average of 28 days to gain approval.

"This is a practical way of helping small business owners get going in setting up businesses and getting their doors open," said Greg Fisher, CEO of Illawarra Business Chamber.

"In an environment where we are fighting for jobs, this is a step in the right direction to get the hurdles out of the way of small businesses that are the engine room for jobs in NSW.

"It has never made sense for business owners who want to do small cosmetic changes to a shop front to have to be bogged down in planning red tape and the costs associated with getting council approvals.

"Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally has demonstrated a strong commitment to getting NSW's planning system working for business owners, mums and dads and significant state developments.

"An empty or closed shop that is waiting to get the green light to make small changes to a sign or internal changes like shelving, cost business owners through lost revenue and rent charges - cutting the waiting time on approvals will save business owners money.

"Illawarra Business Chamber is a strong supporter of reforming our planning system to reduce red tape and get politics out of the system so that business owners can get on with the job of running successful job generating businesses."