Sutherland Shire Council: greater accountability and transparency in local government 

Since 2003, Orfeus Research has been working with Sutherland Shire Council's new Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP). The aim of IHAP is to represent local community concerns and increase the transparency and accountability in the development assessment process. The panel is made up of specialist members in:

• Social sciences and the environment
• Urban and planning law
• Urban design, and
• A local community representative

The panel’s role is to provide a merit-based assessment on major, controversial and nominated development applications as well as making recommendations on planning policy issues to council. Orfeus Research will continue as a social science/environment specialist member of the panel in 2004. Further details on IHAP are available at: www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au