Building certification for private development projects is undertaken on a "user pays" basis, with developers employing professional certificrs nominated by the Department of Local Government as having the necessary skills and experience to undertake the task.
This format has enabled Darling Harbour to become a centre of innovation in design and construction with a unique and flexible planning regime.
Land use and building form are usually decided during lease negotiations so by the time a development application is lodged with the Authority, the major parameters ale pre-determined.
The time saved in appraisals and the flexibility to respond to design problems as they arise has resulted in higher quality buildings because the system is so cost effective.
The recession of 1989 showed even the "best" system cannot protect a project from the cconomic climate. If your product and system are good, however, you will suffer less than most and recover faster than most.
Despite this, (lit: Darling Harbour model is not one which will be repeated, at least in the State of New South Wales.
While some innovations introduced at Darling Harbour (e.g. an independent Quality Review Committee, thc building regulation certification system), have been adopted by others, it has been decided by the Government that the joint role ~f landowner/consent authority is not appropriate to major developments. Development corporations with a land ownership role only have been established for the development of the major Olympic venue at Homebush and for the vast City West redevelopment adjacent to Darling Harbour.
Without any specific examples being cited, it has been decided the Darling Harbour process is too vulnerable to conflicts of interest and that the process is not transparent.
The development consent role of the Authority is now to be transferred to the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning, although thc Authority will retain its building approval system to ensure certainty and a quick approval system for those private development projects still under construction.
The role of the Authority itself will be reviewed post Year 2000 as there is interest in Government in amalgamating some of the existing waterfront agencies in Sydney into one large waterfront organisation.
The Darling Harbour project has often been surrounded in controversy. It has had, and still has, many critics. Its success, however, is truly judged by the millions of people who use it.
