The department monitors the development assessment performance of all councils under the NSW planning system each year, to determine how the system is working in practice at a local level.

The reports not only promote accountability by councils to their communities, but are also a key reference for government in designing planning system reforms.

Armidale’s planning director Stephen Gow said the latest report provided comprehensive information, including details of the volume, value and types of development being assessed by each council, as well as average application processing times, staffing levels and appeals.

“As in previous reports, the council’s performance for the last financial year stacks up pretty well against the results for comparable regional councils, as well as the remainder of the state, for most of the indicators used,” Mr Gow said.

“The development application process in NSW continues to evolve and, over time, it has certainly grown more complex as a result of changes to State legislation.

“Despite this, it is encouraging to see that the council has maintained a good benchmarked performance.”

Armidale Dumaresq is categorised as a Group 4 Council under the state government’s classification system for councils.

This grouping encompasses regional towns and cities with populations of up to 70,000.

Other councils in this group include Tamworth, Lismore, Kempsey, Bathurst, Greater Taree, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Cessnock and Albury.

“The value of developments approved in Armidale Dumaresq went up by an encouraging 17 per cent in 2008-2009 compared with the previous financial year, even though we determined some 20 per cent fewer applications,” Mr Gow said.

“Statewide, application numbers were down by around 13 per cent, and values also down by five per cent, no doubt reflecting the global economic downturn.”