MRC to form Development Services Reference Group

Murray River Council has resolved to form a Development Services Reference Group to further bridge the gap between council and the development community.

The purpose of the reference group will be to assist the Council in its development service responsibilities by looking into how the organisation processes applications, develops policies, communicates information and receives feedback, among other things.

The reference group follows council’s recent adoption of a Development Services Customer Charter, which identifies council’s aspiration to deliver a high level of service in the Development Services area.

“If we are to realise that ambition, we need to work with the development industry much more closely,” Mayor Chris Bilkey said.

“It’s no secret our building department is under pressure due to a national shortage of building surveyors, which effects the efficiency of turnaround time on approvals.”

“By engaging with the development community through a small reference group we can look at ways to improve processes, policy and regular communication on some of these issues so that we can better manage expectations with the broader group and industry,” he said.

Council said the reference group will have no statutory power, but the minutes of meetings will be reported to Council.

The individuals on the group would also not be allowed to discuss their own applications but would be able to discuss generic issues which it deemed important to discuss.

“There has been an explosion in development across the area in the past twelve months, so working with a key stakeholder group will assist Council in managing the growth and delivering improved services into the future,” Cr Bilkey said.

The group will have councillor representation along with local developers, builders and consultants.