AI in Local Planning: Accelerating Development Assessments

Published Date: 05/07/2024

The NSW Government is investing $5.6 million in artificial intelligence to accelerate development assessments, with 16 councils trialing new technologies to improve efficiency.

The New South Wales Government is taking a significant step towards revolutionizing the local planning system by injecting $5.6 million into artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This investment aims to speed up development assessment timeframes, with 16 councils selected to trial innovative technologies that will improve the quality and accuracy of information provided in development applications.

The successful councils will utilize the Early Adopter Grant Program to implement AI-powered solutions that address administrative delays, duplications, and mistakes in the development application process. By leveraging AI, councils can identify and resolve issues before a development application even reaches a planner's desk, freeing up skilled planners to focus on approving homes more efficiently.

Currently, councils assess approximately 85% of all residential development applications, but this process is often slowed down by site-specific requirements that are not met prior to submitting an application. By improving the quality of the original application, the number of requests for additional information can be significantly reduced, saving both councils and applicants valuable time.

For example, the Regional Housing Flying Squad Program found that nearly 30% of development proposals required additional information, with applicants taking an average of 42 days to respond. If this trend is applied to the nearly 60,000 applications submitted in NSW each year, it translates to a staggering saving of hundreds of thousands of days.

The Early Adopter Grant Program recipients include Bayside Council, Blacktown City Council, Burwood Council, Cessnock City Council, City of Canterbury Bankstown, City of Newcastle, Cumberland City Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Inner West Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Randwick City Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, and Wingecarribee Shire Council. Each council will receive support to trial their nominated new technology for a year.

The AI in NSW Planning package aims to identify how the planning system can benefit from the implementation of AI. The next phase of the project will focus on technologies that can integrate with the NSW Planning Portal, making AI benefits available to all applicants.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully emphasized the importance of using technology to assist in the assessment of development applications, stating that it is a critical way to support councils in speeding up development assessment times to better address the housing crisis. Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig also expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the potential of AI to accelerate the planning process and help councils deliver for their communities.

Information 

The NSW Government is committed to supporting the delivery of more homes and addressing the housing crisis. The AI in NSW Planning package is a key initiative in this effort, aimed at streamlining the planning process and improving efficiency.

The NSW Government is the governing body responsible for the state of New South Wales, Australia. The government has implemented various initiatives to address the housing crisis and improve the planning process."

FAQs:

Q: What is the purpose of the AI in NSW Planning package?

A: The AI in NSW Planning package aims to identify how the planning system can benefit from the implementation of artificial intelligence and speed up development assessment timeframes.

Q: How many councils are participating in the Early Adopter Grant Program?

A: Sixteen councils have been selected to participate in the Early Adopter Grant Program.

Q: What is the expected outcome of implementing AI in the planning system?

A: The expected outcome is a significant reduction in administrative delays and mistakes, allowing councils to focus on approving homes more efficiently and addressing the housing crisis.

Q: How will AI benefit applicants submitting development proposals?

A: AI will reduce delays by making sure all required information is provided upfront, saving applicants time and effort.

Q: What is the next phase of the AI in NSW Planning project?

A: The next phase will focus on technologies that can integrate with the NSW Planning Portal, making AI benefits available to all applicants.

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