THREE Hunter councils were among the top 10 in NSW for the number of construction certificates issued, according to a government report rating the performance of local government.
The report, released today, shows Lower Hunter councils approved about $1billion of development in 2010-11.
The Lake Macquarie area ranked behind only Sydney’s Blacktown for the number of construction certificates issued in NSW. Newcastle and Maitland ranked fifth and ninth.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure report shows Lake Macquarie City Council approved 2073 developments, the most of any council in the Hunter, worth $326.4 million.
Newcastle City Council had the highest proportion of commercial, retail and office proposals of any Hunter council, with 12per cent.
Development applications lodged with Upper Hunter Shire Council were the most swiftly processed in the region, taking an average 36 days.
But Gloucester Shire Council was the quickest to consider applications, taking an average 10 ‘‘net days’’, which measure only the portion of the assessment for which the council was responsible.
Newcastle council took an average 73 ‘‘gross days’’ to determine applications, but 48 net days.
The Hunter and Central Coast joint regional planning panel took an average 229 days to assess larger developments.
It was the second slowest panel in the state, behind Wagga Wagga’s.
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