Part I - Other Considerations - Richmond Valley Council

Richmond Valley Development Control Plan 2012(d)(e)to manage appropriate and essential public services, infrastructure and amenities forRichmond Valley,to minimise the risk of harm to the community through the appropriate management ofdevelopment and land use.Section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979requires that when determining a development application, a consent authority(Council) must take into consideration the likely social impacts of thatdevelopment in the locality. Richmond Valley Council (RVC) has a statutoryobligation to include consideration of social impacts of development proposalsin determining development proposals and may therefore require applicants toprovide social assessment within application detail, when necessary.Extract from Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979Section 79C Evaluation(1) Matters for consideration—generalIn determining a development application, a consent authority is to take into consideration suchof the following matters as are of relevance to the development the subject of the developmentapplication:(b) the likely impacts of that development, including environmental impacts on both thenatural and built environments, and social and economic impacts in the locality,…and…(e) the public interest.Social Impact Assessment is the tool to accurately assess the social impactsof a proposal or application for development in the locality. Although thissection of the DCP is most relevant for development applications from privatefirms or individuals, it may also be a useful resource for authorities (includingCouncil) as to where and when a degree of SIA should be incorporated intoproposals initiated by authorities.I8.3 Design principles – SIA(1) Determining where Social Impact Assessment is requiredThe question as to whether the proposal will require a degree of Social ImpactAssessment can be answered by responding in the affirmative to any one ormore of the following:‣ Will the proposal disadvantage or benefit any particular social group, orthe locality or the community within Richmond Valley (RVC) as a whole?‣ Will the proposal be likely to give rise to an increase or reduction inemployment opportunities in the locality?‣ Will the proposal be likely to give rise to an increased demand forcommunity facilities or services within the locality, or RVC area as awhole?‣ Will the proposal be likely to affect the supply of, or demand for, housingwithin the locality or LGA?‣ Is the proposal likely to impact upon neighbourhood amenity and/orcommunity meeting places (including pedestrian commuting conduits,parklands, etc)?‣ Is the proposal likely to create any element of security or risk for anyoccupants, nearby residents or passing pedestrians?Part I – Other Considerations – Social Impact Assessment I.82