[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Planning Minister Dances While Developers Call The Tune

[Christopher Holley]

Planning Minister Dances While Developers Call The Tune

The Planning Minister’s apparent support for stripping local councils
of their planning powers is the Labor government repaying its debt to
the property industry for the millions of dollars donated to Labor’s
re-election campaign, according to NSW Greens MP and planning
spokesperson, Sylvia Hale.

“There was no word of this during the election campaign. The
government has no mandate for this proposal but when the property
industry calls the tune the Planning Minister dances,” said Ms Hale.

“The community must be allowed a say over developments in their area.
Big developers should not be allowed to make a donation to the ALP or
the Liberal Party and then lobby the Minister to bypass the community
and approve the development,” said Ms Hale. 

“This proposal, if implemented, will invite corruption and will bring
the state’s planning process further into disrepute,” said Ms Hale.

“Today’s decision to approve the Anvil Hill coalmine is just the
latest example of how big money interests override local community
interest when the decisions are taken away from the community.”

Ms Hale has given notice of a private members bill to reform the
state’s planning laws by taking away the Planning Minister’s
power to “call in” developments and remove consent authority from
local Councils.

“The Property Industry proposal will remove the community from
planning decisions and open the system further to political
influence-peddling. The Greens’ Bill, on the other hand, will allow
communities to have a say and restore confidence in the integrity of the
planning system.”

“The Planning Minister should rule out the Property Council’s
proposal,” said Ms Hale.

Contact: Chris Holley 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546