Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

Department of Land and Property Services(Option 1A – preferred by the Review) – Economic Development Directorate in theChief Minister’s Department – Chief Minister)(Option 1B – Economic Development Directorate – Minister for EconomicDevelopment)(Option 2 – Sustainable Development Directorate – Minister for SustainableDevelopment)OverviewConcerns about the fragmentation of responsibility for issues related to land release, land usetransport planning, and development loomed as the largest areas of structural focus for theReview, and there emerged in consultations a remarkably consistent view of the key issuesrequiring attention. These concerns centred on the number and respective roles andresponsibilities of LAPS, ACTPLA, TAMS, and the other agencies, or parts of agencies thatcurrently comprise the extraordinary 26 entities involved in approving development in theACT.The overriding concern was a need for greater cohesion of approach, alignment of effort, andconsistency in decision making. There was a view that the ACTPS needed to focus onconsistently delivering government policies and priorities in this sphere, and should activelyassist project proponents to comply with requirements. In this context, there was significantpraise of the role played by the Coordinator-General around which the ACT StimulusPackage Taskforce was organised in 2009, and support for its continuation with an expandedremit to assist in facilitating resolution of relevant issues. Recognition was also given to thespecial procedural and other waivers granted to stimulus package projects.Another emerging theme in consultations was the need for the Government to identify an arearesponsible for working more closely with business on issues including: skills development inthe wider economy; facilitation and support to new businesses proposing to locate inCanberra, and providing a vehicle for greater engagement with the Government onmicroeconomic reform and regulation.It was with these broad issues in mind that the Review approached consideration of issuessurrounding LAPS, DECCEW, ACTPLA and the Business and Industry Development andTourism elements of the current CMD.Guiding Principles – Planning Policy and Decision MakingOne of the great tensions that emerged in consultations within and outside the ACTPS waswhere to draw the line between independent statutory decision making and matters thatshould be decided by the Minister or the Cabinet as statements of government policy.Administrative Arrangements Changes: 179