Planning Professionals Say Poor Systems Risk Burnout As Industry Remains Split On AI

A survey of planning professionals has found that 93 per cent believe poor planning systems are putting them at risk of burnout, even as the sector remains divided on whether AI will fundamentally change how they work.

The research, conducted by Australian software company Objective Corporation, surveyed 123 planning professionals ahead of the Planning Institute of Australia Summit in Canberra. It paints a picture of a workforce under mounting pressure from complex regulatory environments and growing community demand, while still relying on disconnected tools not built for modern development assessment.

Burnout risk tied to legacy systems

The finding that nearly all respondents linked poor systems to burnout risk points to a sector where administrative burden continues to weigh on professionals navigating increasing volume, shifting legislative requirements and rising community expectations.

Many planners are still working with disconnected systems, templates and tools that were not designed for the complexity of current development assessment processes.

Currently, only 30 per cent of NSW councils are meeting the development application approval expectations set by the NSW Government Planning Department, adding pressure from both government and residents to process applications more quickly and transparently.

Industry divided on AI’s impact

While the burnout finding drew near-unanimous agreement, opinions on AI were more evenly split. Just over half of respondents (54 per cent) agreed that AI will transform planning, while 46 per cent remained unconvinced.

Andrea Breen, Global VP of Government Solutions at Objective Corporation, described planners as pragmatic about where AI would and would not change their role.

“Planning is no different to any other industry experiencing digital transformation, and the opportunities are huge,” Breen commented.

“The sector has become significantly more complex over the past decade, with pressure to manage volume, community expectations and legislative changes, yet many planners are still working with disconnected systems, templates and tools not designed for modern development assessment. There is a huge opportunity for AI to help streamline the end-to-end development, assessment and approval process.”

Breen added that the survey data pointed to a consensus around AI as a tool for digitising and improving processes, but that roughly half of respondents did not believe it would fundamentally transform the nature of their work.

“The role of PlanTech is to reduce that administrative burden, streamline workflows and allow planners to focus on what they do best,” she explained.

Planners push back on housing crisis blame

The research also challenged a common assumption in the housing debate. When asked whether planning is the bottleneck to the housing crisis, 93 per cent of respondents disagreed. Only eight of the 123 professionals surveyed agreed that planning was to blame.

Respondents instead pointed to a range of other factors they considered to be key drivers, including construction costs, tax policy and infrastructure funding.

The finding suggests a disconnect between public and political commentary around planning delays and the views of those working within the system, who see the constraints as sitting largely outside their control.

The case for PlanTech investment

The survey results collectively point to a sector that sees clear value in better technology but remains cautious about broader claims around AI transformation.

With NSW councils under pressure to lift their development application approval rates and planners reporting system-driven burnout, the case for investment in fit-for-purpose planning technology appears to be growing, even if the industry has not yet reached consensus on how far AI should go.

Objective Corporation is an Australian software company that works with government, defence and regulated organisations across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and North America. Its services span information governance, planning and building, regulatory operations and secure information sharing. The company is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 standards, and its solutions are IRAP-assessed for sensitive and protected information environments.

Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Nick Ross