Expressions of Interest sought for Community Representatives on Council’s Local Planning Panel

23 April 2024

Expressions of Interest sought for Community Representatives on Council’s Local Planning Panel

Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 May 2024

Hawkesbury City Council is required to establish a Local Planning Panel to determine specific categories of planning applications and proposals for local development. The Panel is established periodically, every three (3) years.

The Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel (HLPP) will comprise of a Chair, a minimum of 14 Independent Experts, and a minimum of four (4) Community Representatives. The Chair and Independent Experts are appointed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, and the Community Representatives are appointed by the local council.

Council is seeking Community Representatives with an interest in contributing to quality development outcomes for the Hawkesbury Local Government Area. Community Representatives are appointed to bring local knowledge and experience to the HLPP. The successful Community Representatives will be placed on a rotating roster and may be required to attend approximately four (4) meetings a year.

The responsibilities of a Community Representative include:

• attendance at HLPP meetings which may be held monthly - community representation is rotational with one community member required per meeting
• consideration of Development Applications which are referred to the HLPP for electronic determination (without a need for a formal public meeting)
• other functions including providing advice to Council on planning proposals and other planning or development matters referred to the HLPP.

This is a part-time, paid role commencing in July 2024 and remunerated in accordance with rates set by the NSW Government. A Community Representative will be paid:

• a maximum of $500 plus GST per meeting
• $71 per hour for business that is undertaken outside of meetings (and not associated with a meeting)
• reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses.

Note: The above rates are inclusive of all work a Panel Member does for a meeting, including preparation, site visits, the meeting itself and any deliberation and voting by the Panel on matters considered at the meeting once the meeting is closed.

Appointments to the HLPP are for a period of up to three (3) years, or when the term is due for renewal under any Direction from the Minister for Planning.

Mayors, Councillors, property developers or real estate agents are not eligible to apply.

Interested parties are required to address the below selection criteria in your application:

• are current residents within the Hawkesbury Local Government Area
• have an understanding of the Hawkesbury Local Government Area and issues of concern to the local community
• have the capacity to form independent views and to contribute constructively to the determination of Development Applications and consideration of Planning Proposals
• are able to demonstrate a basic level of understanding of the planning system, i.e. knowledge of the Council’s Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plan, Local Strategic Planning Statement and Community Strategic Plan
• are committed to:
  • following the Code of Conduct for Local Planning Panel Members and the Local Planning Panels Operational Procedures
  • attending the Local Planning Panel meetings and contributing constructively to the determination of applications.

How to apply

Council will receive online applications using the following link www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/_resources/forms/eoi-hlpp-community-representative-application and will receive applications up to close of business Wednesday, 22 May 2024.

For further information about Local Planning Panels, please visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/assess-and-regulate/development-assessment/local-planning-panels