Newcastle Leads the Way with $1 Million Boost for Faster Development Approvals

Innovative Assessment System to Be Adopted Across Hunter Region

City of Newcastle is set to roll out its pioneering development assessment system across two neighbouring councils in the Hunter Region, thanks to a $1 million grant from the Federal Government. This expansion will see the city’s award-winning Accelerated Development Application (ADA) system implemented in both Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Councils, under a new agreement to streamline approval processes for low-impact developments.

The ADA system, introduced by Newcastle in 2022, has significantly reduced assessment times for straightforward development applications, cutting the average processing time from 40 days to just seven. This efficiency boost has also contributed to an overall 30 per cent reduction in Newcastle’s total processing times.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This is a significant achievement that means our hard work and expertise is set to benefit our colleagues at Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire and ultimately more people across the Hunter. I’m delighted that the vision of our staff is being recognised through this federal grant and I’m proud that City of Newcastle is leading and collaborating through this first-of-its-kind system, which is setting a benchmark for other councils across NSW.”

The collaboration between the three councils is part of a broader initiative funded through the Australian Government’s Housing Support Program, aligned with the National Housing Accord’s ambitious target of delivering 1.2 million new homes. The ADA system will be rolled out to Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook through a combination of training, support, and ongoing mentorship provided by City of Newcastle.

Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Steve Reynolds expressed optimism about the positive impact this initiative will have on the local community. “Just like everyone who lives in the Hunter and across the state, our residents want housing that meets their needs. Being able to share and take ownership of this proven system for Muswellbrook is going to help us address that need into the future,” Cr Reynolds said.

Similarly, Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison praised the cooperative effort in securing the federal funding and the potential benefits the ADA system will bring. “Newcastle, Muswellbrook, and the Upper Hunter are unique places with their own unique qualities but we have many things in common – an expectation of timely approvals is one of them. Already we’re seeing the benefits of working together, and this shared approach to the benefits of ADA is a prime example,” Cr Collison noted.

The ADA system has already demonstrated its effectiveness in Newcastle by simplifying the approval process for a wide range of development applications, particularly those that are decision-ready and low-risk. By automating and accelerating these approvals, council resources are freed up to focus on more complex cases, thereby enhancing overall service delivery.

In the past financial year, ADA determinations made up 27 per cent of all development applications processed by City of Newcastle. The system’s success is built on its ability to quickly determine application eligibility, ensuring only suitable projects are fast-tracked. The ADA pathway currently covers 10 types of developments, with residential projects like alterations, single dwellings, and secondary dwellings being the most common.

As the ADA system extends its reach across the Hunter Region, it promises to enhance the efficiency of development processes, paving the way for quicker housing delivery and more responsive local government planning.