The document discusses ePlanning in NSW, which provides online tools and services for planning. Release 1 of ePlanning saw over 4,400 visits to the Interactive Buildings tool, over 2,200 visits to Local Insights, and over 12,000 visits to the Planning Viewer in the first month. Stakeholders provided positive feedback, but challenges around data access, integration and other languages were also identified. The vision is for ePlanning tools to be designed with users in mind, foster innovation through open data, and improve access, transparency and understanding of the planning system.

2. ePlanning
NSW Vision and Delivery
Clare Huxley
ePlanning Manager
NSW Department of Planning & Environment

3. What is ePlanning?
Online tools and services

4. The ePlanning Journey

5. Release 1

6. The usage stats in the first month
• Interactive Buildings http://www.interactivebuildings.planning.nsw.gov.au)
– Over 4,400 visits to the tool in the first month
– Residential model is the most popular section of the tool
• Local Insights (http://www.localinsights.planning.nsw.gov.au)
– Over 2,200 visits to the tool in the first month
– Majority of the searches are within the Sydney metro area
• Planning Viewer (beta) (https://maps.planningportal.nsw.gov.au)
– Over 12,000 visits to the tool in the first month
– Ashfield is the most searched local government area

7. The benefits of the program

8. What we have learnt
• The significance of open access to ‘government-held’ data for
industry and to inform evidence based planning within
government.
• That there are a number of legal, data, policy and financial
hurdles still to overcome.
• That success is about looking at the various participants in the
planning system to see what their needs are and how to best
meet those needs.
• That success can only be achieved through collaboration.

9. What we have learnt ….
• That Local Government is looking to the State to provide
direction on the future of ePlanning and the role Local
Government will play.
• Stakeholders are looking for regular updates to the tools to
include additional functionality and integration with other tools
and / or other agency processes.
• There is a need to provide information and tools in languages
other than English.
• Stakeholders want to be able to make payments online.

10. Feedback from stakeholders
• “The suite of ePlanning tools are a fantastic initiative by the
Department!!!! … Congratulations to the Department for this initiative
and for providing the budget to enable Local Government to make
this available. Great stuff!!!!” (Junee Shire Council)
• “Great work - I really like the website and its interface!! Thank you
for investing in this service!! Keep the updates coming!!” (Member
of the Public referring to Local Insights)
• “The new planning tools will make planning more accessible for
communities, consumers & industry and should make planning
faster and easier for all.” (Urban Taskforce)

11. Next Releases
Release 2 (2015) Release 3 (2016)

12. Our Future Direction
• Designed with the user
in mind – consistent and
seamless
• Fosters innovation due
to the release of
government data (Open
Data)
• Increased transparency
• Improved access to information –
anywhere anytime
• Improved understanding of the planning
system

13. Thank you
Access the tools:
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/eplanning
Email: eplanning@planning.nsw.gov.au