The Productivity Commission is undertaking a benchmarking study into Planning, Zoning and Development Assessments. This study is the third year in a series of reviews benchmarking Australian business regulatory burdens.

The Productivity Commission is requested to examine and report on the operations of the states and territories' planning and zoning systems, particularly as they impact on:

  • business compliance costs
  • competition
  • the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the functioning of cities.

In doing so, the Commission is to report on best practice approaches that support competition, including:

  • measures to prevent 'gaming' of appeals processes
  • processes in place to maintain adequate supplies of land suitable for a range of activities
  • ways to eliminate any unnecessary or unjustifiable protections for existing businesses from new and innovative competitors.

For further information, go here.