Last month, the State Government released its IPA (Integrated Planning Act) Reform Agenda Report:  Planning for a Prosperous Queensland, which is  one of a number of reform initiatives undertaken to enable the development approval processes to keep pace with the challenges of development within the State. 

The overarching aim of the IPA reforms is to make the development assessment system more efficient, transparent and consistent.  The introduction of the new IDAS forms is the first element in the rollout of an electronic document lodgement process, which is envisaged to implement this aim to a significant extent.

The new forms, which will completely replace the existing IDAS forms from Monday 3 December 2007, are intended to facilitate the commencement of the Smart eDA (Electronic Development Application) On-Line Lodgement Service. 

The Smart eDA Project is a joint initiative of the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation and the Local Government Association of Queensland.  The Project aims to advance the development assessment process in Queensland by delivering a single electronic process for lodging and tracking development applications across the State. 

The Smart eDA process will enable:

• on-line completion of IDAS application forms;
• electronic lodgement of documents and plans in support of an application;
• online payment of the relevant fees upon lodgement;
• referral of the application to the relevant agencies; and
• viewing, commenting and tracking of development applications online.

As a fully integrated online system, the Smart eDA program will link  application lodgements, fee payments and document submissions ensuring  all necessary information and fees are provided by applicants at the time of lodgement.  Applicants will also be able to use the Internet to receive decision documentation and communicate electronically with other stakeholders including assessment managers, the community and referral agencies.

Overall the system is intended to save money and time for applicants and assessors by easing the administrative burden on planners and reducing further information and payment requests. 

In terms of content, the new IDAS forms have not changed significantly.  However, the format and logic of the static paper versions of the forms have been revised to take advantage of the technical capabilities of the IDAS Application Forms 'Wizard', which will be available from October 2007.  The 'Wizard' will aid the validation of "properly made" applications by assisting applicants to complete IDAS forms on-line and ensure only those applications accompanied by identified, supporting information are accepted.

The full roll-out of Smart eDA is expected before the end of this year.  In the meantime, developers and assessment managers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new IDAS forms during a three-month transition period which began on Monday, 3 September 2007 and ends on Friday, 30 November 2007. 

During the transition period, previous versions of the forms can be lodged, however from Monday, 3 December 2007 only the new forms will be accepted by any assessment manager as the approved forms for IDAS. 

For more information about the new forms or the IDAS process generally, please contact any member of MacDonnells Law's Planning and Environment Team. 

Linda Morris - (07) 3031 9719

Terry Karydas - (07) 4030 0510

Moya Steele - (07) 4722 0224

Andrew Kerr - (07) 4030 0564

Danyelle Roach - (07) 3031 9718

Tanya Knauer - (07) 4030 0617

Nadia Price - (07) 4722 0253

Edith Frankling - (07) 4030 0672

Planning and Environment Solutions is a newsletter intended only to provide general information about current legal issues and does not constitute, nor should it be used or treated as, professional or legal advice.  Readers should make their own enquiries or seek legal advice before making any decisions concerning their own interests