Question on Notice 473

MR M HART asked the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (HON S MILES) –

QUESTION:
Will the Deputy Premier advise if the Deputy Premier has issued any directions to
decision makers or referral agencies to notify the Deputy Premier of any future or
existing development applications impacting the proposed light rail route through Palm
Beach, as per section 94 and other sections of the Planning Act 2016?

ANSWER:
I can advise that I have not used any of my Ministerial powers under the Planning Act
2016 to issue directions to decision-makers or referral agencies for any development
application in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. These powers remain open for me to use
at my discretion where there is a State interest.
I can further advise that the State typically becomes involved in a development
application if it affects a matter of State interest. In such cases, the application will be
referred to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) for assessment. SARA
is a function of the chief executive administering the Planning Act 2016 and as the
Planning Minister I am not involved in this assessment process.