Local councils have made submissions to the NSW Government on the changes, which are expected to go before parliament next month.

Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) mayor James Treloar said he believed the proposed changes weren’t entirely negative but that TRC had serious reservations about planning decisions not being made locally.

“There’s some things I think are positive and some things that are negative,” Cr Treloar said.

“There are some areas of great concern.”

Cr Treloar said one of the main concerns was “the potential loss of local input in terms of planning”.

“The moment something goes to the minister you don’t get community input,” he said.

“It’s just an embarrassment for what local government represents.”

He said local councils, notably in rural settings, were well-placed to understand the background to complex issues.

“Some contentious issues ... suddenly the minister is in Sydney making the decisions. It’s a worry,” he said.

“I understand the delays some metropolitan councils have in planning issues. Some are just so anti-development they are finding excuses to not allow anything.

“I don’t think that means local government generally.

“They (the State Government) seriously have to look at councils that are causing concern and take on those councils individually.”

Armidale Dumaresq Council mayor Peter Ducat said his council’s concerns centred on the potential loss of section 94 donations, which help fund infrastructure associated with development. His council has also lodged a submission on the proposed changes.

“It (the submission) will be basically saying that we do realise there needs to be changes but we need the section 94s left as they are – left

available for us to use on community benefit issues,” Cr Ducat said.

Armidale Dumaresq Council was also concerned about any changes that would lead to less community involvement in planning.

“We want to have local input in local decisions,” Cr Ducat said.

“We don’t support independent surveyors making decisions.”