DAP process defended

The Department of Planning has come to the defence of its much-maligned Development Assessment Panels after the City of Rockingham voted to campaign for the system to be abolished.

DAPs see big-money development applications that are passed through local government assessed by five-person committees. These comprise two local government councillors and three State Government experts.

The City of Rockingham voted unanimously to advocate for the abolition of DAPs at the August 23 council meeting, stating that the process took power away from local government.

Councillor Joy Stewart said the State Government should return community interest to the centre of the system and decisions should be made by those accountable to the residents.

However, a Department of Planning spokesman said DAPs had justified their existence since their introduction in 2011.

“DAPs have been reviewed twice in the past five years and both reviews have found that the system is working,” he said.

“There are no plans for a further review at this time.

“In general, only a small number of DAP applications have been contentious, with the majority of applications determined in accordance with the recommendation of the relevant local government.”