What drives technological innovation in planning systems : simplified development control or enhanced community engagement?

In recent years, a growing use of computer applications has significantly changed how planning tasks are approached. Technologies are now available that can enhance the capacity of routine planning tasks, and plan-making, and that can be used for connecting together various players/ stakeholders via convenient access and communication. To ensure that the ends set up by the planning profession remain independent of the available technological means of delivery, however, we must understand the purpose of adopting technology. Is it to facilitate the implementation of planning regulation and controls or, is it to facilitate planners' engagement with the community? This paper will assess the situation in Australia with regard to the adoption of computer / ICT in public planning. It will explore the way technology, such as 'ePlanning', is being incorporated by looking at the nature of the techniques promoted/adopted.