PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THE DRAFT COOLAMON SHIRE COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY – FOR COUNCIL RELATED DEVELOPMENT

Coolamon Shire Council has resolved to exhibit the draft Conflict of Interest Policy – for Council Related Development.

Creating a transparent and accountable planning system is an ongoing priority of the NSW Government.

The Department of Planning and Environment will be requiring that Councils in NSW develop a policy on managing potential conflicts of interest in the development assessment process.

This relates to situations where a council is the applicant developer (whether lodged by or on behalf of the council), landowner or otherwise holds a commercial interest in the land, as well as the consent authority and regulator.

This is in response to concerns identified by the NSW Ombudsman in its report: An inherent conflict of interest councils as developer and regulator (December 2020) that this dual role creates an inherent potential for conflicts of interest, and that it is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed.

The draft Conflict of Interest Policy – for Council Related Development is on public exhibition and can be viewed at the Coolamon Shire Council Offices or online at here until 5pm, Friday 18th November 2022.

Have your say via email to Council at council@coolamon.nsw.gov.au or by mail to the General Manager, PO Box 101, COOLAMON, NSW 2701.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Friday 18th November 2022.

Should you have any questions please contact Colby Farmer of Council’s Development and Environmental Services Section on 6930 1804.