Builders report year-long waits for development approvals amid planner shortage

Builders have reported waiting well over a year for planning approvals.  (Supplied: Museums of History NSW)

Builders have reported wait times of up to two years for projects gaining planning approvals, while some local councils operate with little to no planning staff.

A large volume of planning approvals during the pandemic, combined with rising land values, government-backed building incentives, and a lack of planners has created development application backlogs in many local councils.