Two or more sides to the debate on the use of land use planning

Much has been written on the effects of neoliberal governance and its influence on the planning of cities and regions, often interpreted via the associated issues of globalisation, localism, ompetitiveness, growth fetishism, place-promotion and social exclusion. Relatively little has however been produced on the form and content of what might be loosely termed neoliberal planning. On the other hand, much ink has been spilled over the years in an attempt to justify traditional planning by focussing on such assumptions as the public interest at the centre of its considerations, morphing more recently into the all-pervading concept of the just city. Current planning practice appears to ignore such long standing values although they appear to persist, perhaps more so in theory than in practice. The recent Productivity Commission’s report however provides some insights into the Commonwealth and State Governments’ perceptions of the planning systems currently practiced in Australia. It clearly sets out a neoliberal view of the scope and purpose of planning. No consideration is given to the values and ethical factors which provided the basis for the initial development of planning and its justification. This paper seeks to reflect on the current state of land use planning by examining some of the crucial influences that are providing the basis for the proposed new planning Act in New South Wales.