A MEMBER of the public will soon help determine rezoning proposals on behalf of Fairfield Council.
The nominated person will represent the council on the Joint Planning Regional Panel.
This follows a letter the mayor, Councillor Frank Carbone wrote to Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard in October last year, addressing the council's concerns about the regional panel.
"There is a clear conflict of interest when the councillor on the JRPP is reviewing a rezoning application, when he or she has already considered the matter as a member of council, and a determination has been made," the mayor told the council.
He said Mr Hazzard had replied to the letter and agreed to allow the council to nominate an independent person.
Cr Carbone said suitable candidates did not need planning experience. "The decision to appoint members of our community to the panel will ensure there is no conflict of interest on the panel," he said.