The NSW Labor government will use a new league table to expose councils that are dragging their heels in approving development applications for new housing as it searches for ways to ensure it meets its ambitious targets of 377,000 extra homes within five years.
The league table, published for the first time on Thursday, reveals the top and bottom performers, with Georges River, North Sydney and Sutherland the slowest councils in Greater Sydney in terms of DA approvals.
Wollondilly and Blacktown are the two most speedy, with an average of 53 and 65 assessment days, respectively. In comparison, Georges River takes 259 days, and North Sydney 246.
Councils approve about 85 per cent of all residential development applications, prompting the Minns government to also release a new statement of expectations order for local government.
Under that order, councils must determine development applications within an average of 115 days, but that timeframe speeds up each year, reducing to an average of 105 days in 2025–26, 95 days in 2026–27 and 85 days from July 1, 2027.
According to the league table, 21 councils in Sydney are taking more than an average of 115 days to approve development applications.
Georges River is the slowest council in great Sydney when it comes to determining housing DAs.Credit: James Brickwood
The council league table and statement of expectations are part of the government’s faster assessments program. This includes $200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
These financial incentives will include grants for councils to fund more green space, such as parks and sporting facilities, as well as the maintenance of local streets and footpaths.