Writing a Good Development Plan Amendment

PLANNING INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA (SA) REBOOT TRAINING SERIES 2013

WRITING A ‘GOOD’ DPA 22 MARCH 2013

DARREN STARR MPIA CPP

WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ DPA

WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ DPA

THE PROJECT BRIEF

ROLE OF THE STATEMENT OF INTENT

CONSULTANTS DEALING WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS & STAFF

DPA CONSULTATION

USE OF DPA TEMPLATES

APPROVAL OF THE DPA

INTRODUCTION - DPA EXPERIENCE

• Assessment & Preparation of PAR’s – Planning SA • Preparation of DPA’s – Connell Wagner (consultant) • Preparation and management of DPA’s– District Council of

Mount Barker • Preparation of DPA’s – Fyfe (consultant) • Direct involvement in 40-50 DPA’s

WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ DPA

• Achieves the outcome of a change to the Development Plan - DPA is simply a tool!

• Written to as wide an audience as possible e.g. Council members and staff, residents groups, business groups and community members – DPA must be clear!

• Demonstrates why the DPA is required (investigations), what is being considered (policy changes) and probable outcome of the policy change.

THE PROJECT BRIEF

• Brief should outline timeframes, specific deliverables, consultation (statutory vs. additional) strategy, presentation to Council & Committees, final review & delivery.;

• The more detailed the brief the less guess work for the consultant in responding and the firmer the price will be e.g. less exclusions .

ROLE OF THE STATEMENT OF INTENT

• Important that where Council staff prepares the SOI that it is consistent with what the consultant has tendered on to prepare the DPA;

• If additional features are added at the SOI stage then may need to vary the DPA contract;

• A very specific SOI will limit the opportunity to include associated or emerging issues in the DPA post consultation – think about this upfront.

CONSULTANTS DEALING WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS & STAFF

• For consultants dealing with DPA’s they should be aware of potential external pressures on Council staff (and internal pressures) and the issues that need to be addressed;

• Preferable that Council staff are the contact point for elected members – where not possible e.g. country council with no qualified planning staff then it is important that elected members understand the consultants role and the DPA process.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

• Consultation methods such as use of websites interfaces, project fact sheets or newsletters, displays in prominent locations, drop in session (day and night) and hotlines have complemented the mandated public notices;

• As communities become more removed from development assessment decision, the importance of community contributions in the policy planning process will make DPA consultation & engagement methods more important.

GOVERNMENT AGENCY CONSULTATION

• Early involvement of state agency staff in DPA consultation can be beneficial and reduce the likelihood of objections to proposed policy;

• It is important to highlight to state agency staff the intent and scope of the DPA so that any comments around additional or revised policy are within the scope of the DPA.

VARIATIONS POST CONSULTATION

• Changes to scope following consultation – budget and time should be ‘reserved’ ;

• Lengthy process and things can change over the life of a DPA ;

• Good record keeping is imperative where multiple planners (Council ,consultant, DPTI) will potentially work on the DPA over its life.

USE OF DPTI TEMPLATES

• While the DPA templates are a good base, filling in the blanks doesn't led to a good DPA. Consider the audiences!

• Use of language is critical, where concepts or terminology are planning specific try to explain them – example medium density housing and the use of the Guide to Understanding Residential Densities: A Pictorial Handbook of Adelaide Examples

• Also important to tailor the DPA to the complexity of the proposed policy changes.

APPROVAL VERSION OF THE DPA

• Important to consider what DPTI staff will be reviewing when recommending to the Minister whether to approve the DPA e.g. consistency with the SOI or proposed changes to Ministerial or BDP policy. If you don’t you waste time and money in revisions to the DPA;

• Quality control at the final stage of the DPA is critical.

CONCLUSIONS

• While the Development Plan Amendment process is lengthy and at time the DPA seems to have a life of its own it should always be remembered that it is simply a tool to amend the Development Plan.

• A DPA that is written with its many potential audiences in mind will contribute to greater understanding of both the planning and policy issues of relevance to the DPA but also of urban planning in general.

CONCLUSIONS

• A close working relationship with DPTI staff will increase your changes of a smooth approval process.

• A close working relationship with consultants (where used) will contribute to an end product that reflects intended Council and community outcomes.