Councils are development regulators. But they also can be the developer, landowner or hold a commercial interest in the land they regulate. Where councils have this dual role, an inherent conflict can arise between their interests in the development and their duty as regulator.

Identifying these conflicts of interest early and finding ways to address them is crucial to good governance and allows councils to strengthen their relationship with communities and build and enhance trust.

Councils must adopt and have a policy that specifies how conflicts of interest in connection with council-related development applications will be handled.

In addition, Council’s existing Policy has been amended to address the requirements of the amended Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 and in consideration of the Department’s Policy as follows:

• The Policy has been divided into parts outlining the processes for assessment of development applications submitted by Councillors or Council Staff and Development Applications submitted by Council.
• Inclusion of updates to reflect the role of Local and Regional Planning Panels in the determination of Council Development Applications and those submitted by Councillors and staff.

Have your say in three ways.

Take a look at the Proposed Policy in the Document Library and comment by:

• completing the form below
• emailing devmail@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
• writing to the General Manager, Hornsby Shire Council, PO Box 37, Hornsby 1630.

Exhibition closes: Sunday, 12 March 2023.