[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Greens Back Calls for Inquiry Into Planning Laws

[Christopher Holley]

Greens Back Calls for Inquiry Into Planning Laws

NSW Greens Planning spokesperson Sylvia Hale MLC has  backed calls by
local Councils and environment groups for a public inquiry into the
impact of new planning laws being proposed by Planning Minister Frank
Sartor. 

“The draft Bill contains major changes to property rights, approval
processes, appeals, council powers and community participation. In its
current form it is impossible to confidently predict the impact of these
changes. That is why we need a full public inquiry,” Ms Hale said.

“Many community organisations, Councils and residents have found the
short time line for a response to over 200 pages of legislation has made
it impossible to respond to the Exposure Bill in a sensible way,” said
Ms Hale

“With details of many of the reforms to be determined later by way of
regulation the public is being asked to trust Frank Sartor to do the
right thing. Given that developers have given nearly $10 million to Mr
Sartor’s party in the last five years I don’t think the public
should be asked to trust the Minister to act in the public interest.”

“The Government will no doubt claim there has been an extensive
consultation process but an examination of the timelines, the lack of
detail in the discussion paper and the Exposure Bill and the way
community and resident feedback has been ignored make it clear that the
public consultation process around these reforms has been a sham from
day one.”

“There is a  strong public perception that the Bill is little more
than a development industry wish-list, designed to reduce community
involvement, environmental and heritage protections and the role of
local councils.” 

“The history of promotion of the changes contained in the Bill show
that they are largely the reforms sought by the development industry
from the beginning of the reform process.”

“In contrast, significant community concerns expressed about the
reduced opportunities for community involvement, the reduced role of
Councils and the removal of existing environmental and heritage
protections are ignored in the Bill,” said Ms Hale. 

Further information: Chris Holley on 02 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546