26 May 2014

Auditor general report released on single dwelling assessments

| Canfan
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Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, today welcomed an Auditor-General’s report examining single dwelling assessments in the ACT.

The report presents the results of a performance audit that examined single dwelling developments that were originally deemed by private building certifiers to be exempt from requiring development approval but were subsequently found to require development approval during or after construction.

“The Auditor-General has confirmed that there was no evidence of any improper influence being exerted on, or by, the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate’s assessing officers,” Mr Corbell said.

The report concluded that no improper influence existed in the cases examined and recommended further safeguards in the development application exemption and development application merit track assessment processes for single dwellings.

“The government agrees with all recommendations made, and I have directed my officers in ESDD to implement any necessary changes. This will include opportunities to improve the practice and process within the planning system.”

The recommendations also included improving the availability of information to the general public and building certifiers in relation to exempt developments. This is in addition to more comprehensive documentary evidence of the assessment of these development applications.

The government will provide a formal response to the Auditor-General’s report to the Legislative Assembly.

“I will also table a three-month update on progress in adopting the recommendations to the Legislative Assembly in September.”

(Simon Corbell media release)

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