By Staff Writers

Drastic changes to New South Wales planning laws have been tipped to slash the amount of time councils have to make decisions about crucial development matters within as little as 10 days or risk losing their decision making powers.

The latest broadside against local governments across the state comes as the O’Farrell government attempts to speed up building starts despite pledging to return planning powers to councils during the election campaign.

According to reports in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard is anticipated to announce a major shake-up of planning powers this morning that raise the option of the O’Farrell government potentially forcing councils to approve 80 per cent of all suitable NSW buildings in just 25 days.

The report also claims that the government will allow councils to follow through with their prior planning procedure if the development is under two storeys and does not spark any privacy issues with neighbours.

However, the question that has so far remained unanswered by the NSW government is whether councils are will be given extra money to speed up the process.

Mr Hazzard was also unavailable for comment prior to the launch.