To ask the Minister of the Environment how his Department has consulted with relevant stakeholders to assess the need for greater efficiency in the planning process.

Prior to the transfer of planning functions to the new 11 councils on 1 April 2015, my Department engaged in an extensive period of consultation with relevant stakeholders regarding reform of the planning system and the transfer of powers. One of the key purposes of the reform measures was to increase efficiency in the planning system.

Responsibility for most planning functions now rests with district councils. My Department supports councils through various engagement channels such as a Ministerial Planning Group, which I chair and is attended by chief executives, directors and heads of planning, and a Strategic Planning Group, chaired by the Chief Planner and attended by heads of planning. The purpose of these groups is to allow central and local government to come together to discuss planning issues and to identify solutions, as well as to drive forward continuous improvement and best practice. Below these groups Departmental staff attended various planning-related groups within the councils, such as development management, enforcement and local development plan working groups.

In bringing forward future policy and legislative changes, the Department will consult with all relevant stakeholders. Departmental officials also attend numerous public events, seminars and conferences attended by various stakeholders where performance of the planning system is discussed and debated.

My Department recognises the need to continue to support district councils to ensure the effective operation of the new two tier planning system.