Planning powers set for review

CARDINIA Shire councillors are poised to have a bigger say in smaller planning decisions.
Councillors last week flagged plans to examine the delegated powers that give shire officers authority to decide less significant — but still notable — applications for council permits.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen said it was time the situation was reviewed.
Cr Owen said some fairly serious decisions were being made without councillors’ input.
He cited new subdivisions in Bunyip and approval for new factories in Pakenham as recent examples of issues of delegated decision that may have deserved closer scrutiny by councillors.
Council manager of governance and communications Doug Evans said the council was required to review its powers of delegation within six months of an election. Mayor Bill Ronald said the council would be conducting this review fairly quickly.