The meeting was called to discuss the council's formal response to the draft Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill.

A report to the meeting said the response had been prepared ``in haste'' due to the limited time that had been made available for comment on the changes.

The Department of Planning released the 139-page bill on April 3 with all comments due to be submitted by last Thursday, April 24.

The council's major problems with the proposed legislation concern proposals for the use of private certifying authorities, particularly in heritage conservation areas; increasing the proportion of exempt and complying developments from 11per cent to 50per cent of all proposals within four years and the ability of councils to use developer contributions for community infrastructure.

In its resolution the council expressed concern at the ``inadequate opportunity for comment'' on the draft bill, seeking an extension of time for further submissions by interested parties and called for retention of financial control over Section 94 developer contributions.

The council did, however, support proposals in the draft legislation concerning compulsory acquisition of land required for urban renewal schemes.

A spokeswoman for Planning Minister Frank Sartor said it was hoped the bill would be introduced to Parliament some time during May.