Media Release
17 June 2008
Development Assessment Forum celebrates
10th Anniversary
Statement by Richard Calver, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Master Builders Australia, the peak building and construction industry association,
believes
the
Development Assessment Forum (DAF) has an important role to play in achieving a more simplified,
transparent, and cost effective development approvals process.
Mr Calver said, “The forum is unique in that the Commonwealth Government, as well as State and
local Governments, industry and the Local Government Association are represented. DAF has been
instrumental in delivering a national development assessment model, which is aimed at reducing
delays and adding more certainty and transparency in the development approval process. The model
developed by DAF has been adopted in part, or in full, by most State and Territory Governments.
Master Builders urges all States to take up the model fully. Funding for the roll out could come from
the proposed Housing Affordability Fund.
“The DAF Agenda now includes
eDA (electronic development applications) and a benchmarking
exercise to further promote leading practices in development approvals. Moving to an e-commerce
model is commended.
“Master Builders Australia has been involved with DAF from the outset and applauds the work and
planning reforms DAF has delivered across Australia. Following the workshop Master Builders is
supportive of the role DAF
has to offer in assisting to streamline the approval system”, Mr Calver
said.
“Some sectors of industry are suggesting DAF is irrelevant. We disagree.
“Like other industry and government representatives, Master Builders is firmly of the view that DAF
is well placed to reform planning in Australia so that this country can become a world class leader in
delivering development approvals.
“The future work program and the models DAF will develop must mirror world’s best practice.
“The DAF’s reform agenda will also assist to deliver more affordable housing, especially in reducing
building costs such as interest paid on land that remains undeveloped”, Mr Calver said.
For further information contact:
Richard Calver, Acting Chief Executive Officer Mobile: 0422 866 766
Neil Evans, National Director Technical & Regulatory Policy Mobile: 0423 002 2007
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