The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard 
has launched an online tool to revolutionise the housing approval process.
“Builders, homeowners and renovators can now have their plans approved at the touch of a button,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This is a major step forward in speeding up the planning process – your dream home can now be approved within days.”
The Minister, pictured opposite with Mr and Mrs Wade - the homeowners of the first application through the system, visited Sydney’s North West to launch the new Electronic Housing Code where the first home has been approved online.
“This site at Kellyville is the start of a new era in planning, it’s the first home to be approved using the new online system and it happened in just three days.
“The Electronic Housing Code is operational in ten council areas, following a $5.92 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government’s Housing Affordability Fund.
“The online system is now operational at Bankstown, Blacktown, Lake Macquarie, Port Macquarie, Rockdale, Shellharbour, Sutherland, Tamworth, The Hills and Tweed councils.
“Good news is the NSW Government has pledged an additional $4.3 million to have the system rolled out at up to 24 additional councils over the next two years.”
Hills Shire Council General Manager, Dave Walker says the Electronic Housing Code will go a long way to fast-tracking the approval process for a significant number of dwellings that will be built in the North West.
"We are proud to have been selected as one of the role model councils to pilot the Electronic Housing Code and particularly to be the first council to process an actual complying development certificate for a new dwelling through the online system,” Mr Walker said.
“The NSW Government is determined to get the state moving again and the fast-tracking of housing approvals is another major step towards that goal and ensuring much needed housing is delivered to NSW families,” Mr Hazzard added.