New Office of the Coordinator General in NSW

The NSW Premier Morris Iemma this week announced the establishment of a new Office of the Coordinator General which will operate as a single point of contact for businesses interested in major investment projects in NSW.

The announcement was made in the context of the Premier’s Business Roundtable advice that major investors would value a ‘one-stop shop’ for their dealings with Government.

The Office of the Coordinator General is designed to streamline processes, eliminate excess red tape and reduce unnecessary delays.

It will comprise of the NSW Infrastructure Implementation Group, elements of the Department of State and Regional Development, and the Strategic Projects Group within the Premier’s Department.

The Infrastructure Implementation Group is focused on infrastructure project delivery. The Group has a role in helping to overcome bottlenecks by assisting projects through the planning approval process, their preconstruction phase and construction phase.  It has assisted with major infrastructure projects like the Port Botany expansion, the metropolitan freight strategy, the Royal North Shore Hospital redevelopment, and the Kurnell desalination plant.

The Department of State and Regional Development has a role in encouraging investment and sustainable economic development across NSW by helping businesses to establish, expand and prosper.  This is done through a range of programs such as the Payroll Tax Incentive Scheme, small business and regional programs, and investment services.

The Strategic Projects Group is involved in projects that deliver tangible social, economic and environmental benefits to NSW through collaboration with the business sector.  In the past, the Group has assisted with the establishment of steel mill developments in Newcastle, the development of the Fox Studios complex and the Australian Technology Park.