LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL UNDER FIRE: MP RAISES CONCERNS OVER DELAYS AND RED TAPE

The development assessment processes of Liverpool City Council have come under scrutiny in the New South Wales Parliament, with State Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty MP raising concerns about delays, mounting costs and bureaucratic hurdles affecting community groups, places of worship, families and small businesses.

Speaking in Parliament, Hagarty said he had heard numerous accounts from local organisations that invested significant time and money preparing development applications, only to face lengthy delays and repeated requests for additional information.

“More reports, more delays, more costs and more frustration,” Hagarty said, arguing that volunteer-run organisations are being forced to divert funds away from community programs and services in order to meet administrative requirements.

According to the parliamentary speech, some applications have remained stalled within the development assessment system for months, and in some cases years. Hagarty cited examples including a Buddhist school and a local mosque, suggesting that the issue extends beyond major commercial developers and disproportionately impacts community-based, not-for-profit organisations.

Particular concern was raised over repeated requests for supplementary reports, consultant studies and technical documentation after applications had already been lodged. Critics argue that these requirements create substantial additional expenses without necessarily improving assessment outcomes or reducing processing times.

Hagarty also questioned whether the current system is focused on achieving practical planning outcomes or simply improving performance statistics on paper. He claimed that some applications are rejected on technical grounds or sent back for resubmission, forcing applicants to restart lengthy and costly processes.

The MP called on the NSW Minister for Planning to examine the situation and consider whether intervention may be required. He referred to provisions within planning legislation that allow the State Government to step in where a council is failing to adequately fulfil its planning responsibilities.

The debate comes at a critical time for Liverpool, one of the fastest-growing regions in New South Wales. Rapid population growth has increased demand for new infrastructure, community facilities, schools and places of worship, placing additional pressure on local planning systems.

Whether the concerns raised in Parliament will lead to a formal review or investigation remains to be seen. However, the issue has reignited a broader discussion about the balance between necessary planning oversight and the need to provide timely, efficient and transparent outcomes for residents, businesses and community organisations.

As Liverpool continues to expand, many stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether reforms are introduced to ensure development applications are processed more efficiently while maintaining appropriate planning standards.

The post LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL UNDER FIRE: MP RAISES CONCERNS OVER DELAYS AND RED TAPE first appeared on Allora! Italian Australian News.