The Planning Department will step up its customer service following years of frustration from the public, according to new Environment Minister Walter Roban.

Mr. Roban told the House of Assembly he is determined to change the Department's culture which has helped create the impression it's inefficient. "I do appreciate there's sometimes frustration with the interaction of the public with Planning," said Mr. Roban as he opened the Progressive Labour Party's contribution to the Throne Speech debate.

He said the Planning Department would have a lot of work on its plate adopting the Bermuda Plan, but at the same time it needs to be more customer friendly.

"Yes, we have to absorb the new 2008 plan, but we also must change some of the culture that perpetuates the belief that they are not an efficient organisation," he said.

"I intend to ensure that Planning itself improves its customer service presentation and makes itself more efficient. Not at the detriment of production, but to ensure that its customer service is at the highest level."

Two years ago, the Department came under fire from Ombudsman Arlene Brock, who accused it of keeping the public in the dark over its decision-making.

Ms Brock said she received more complaints about Planning than any other Government branch yet, when she quizzed the Department on its mistakes, it responded by denying or justifying errors — and on one occasion wrongly pinned the blame on junior staff.

She said she even faced difficulties getting the Department to respond to her own inquiries about complaints from the public.

Also during his speech on Friday, Mr. Roban promised solar panels would one day become a norm rather than a novelty as the Island moves away from a reliance on fossil fuels.

He conceded Bermuda is behind Caribbean islands in the drive to use renewable energy sources, and said it would increasingly look towards the ocean, sun and wind.

"Perhaps we can begin to use some of those things to begin to lower our dependence over time on fossil fuel," he said.

Of solar panels on homes, he said: "Right now, it's still a bit of a novelty but it's going to be the norm."