We're certainly living in interesting times. As a result of COVID-19, our new business-as-usual is, well, unusual, and there has, understandably, been both uncertainty and caution in the market when it comes to proceeding with projects.
To do a quick temperature check of the South East Queensland market, we spoke to Town Planner, Angus Green, Director of Place Design Group about his dealings with the local and state governments and what it means for development approvals moving forward.
Are you finding the local government is responding differently as a result of COVID-19?
The Queensland State Government and Councils are keen to encourage economic growth through the development industry and are building a pipeline of shovel ready projects.
How is this impacting Development Approvals?
We see this as an opportune time to be submitting development applications within South East Queensland. The Local Government elections are over, and the Councils are now out of caretaker mode. Brisbane City Council has announced their Civic Cabinet with Cr Krista Adams being appointed the Planning Chair.
We are pleased to be already seeing complex DAs which were previously hitting roadblocks during their assessment, resolved with a more development facilitation focus.
Do you have any further guidance for those currently deciding whether to proceed or hold back on projects?
Another consideration is the impending State Government election in October. For potentially controversial DA’s it may be prudent to proceed with the concept development and pre-DA stages now but hold off on the actual lodgement of the application until after this election period.
However, this would only be relevant for a very small percentage of projects. In most cases the current environment is a significant opportunity to obtain better development outcomes.
