[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Climate Change Grants to Councils: Leadership Requires More than Money

[Christopher Holley]

Climate Change Grants to Councils: Leadership Requires More than Money 

If the government is serious about giving leadership to local councils
in adapting to the effects of climate change it must stop approving
massive residential developments on coastal flood plains, rather than
merely giving grants to local Councils, according to NSW Greens MP and
Planning spokesperson Sylvia Hale.

“The claim today by Climate Change Minister Carmel Tebbutt that the
state government will provide leadership with regards to rising sea
levels and coastal development is undermined by the actions of the
government in approving massive residential sub-divisions on coastal
flood plains,” Ms Hale said.

“The state government’s announcement of an $18 million climate fund
to help councils improve coastal waterways and flood risk management is
welcome but it is merely window dressing while the government keeps
approving coastal residential sub-divisions like Sandon Point.”

“The Sandon Point approval was overturned by the Land and Environment
Court because the effects of climate change had not been considered.
Rather than take that decision seriously and genuinely address the
climate change issues the government instead went to the Court of Appeal
on behalf of the developer to have the decision overturned.” 

“The average $180,000 that Councils will be able to access will do
little to address the problems caused by massive coastal developments
like Sandon Point.”
 
“People have every right to be sceptical about the government’s
claim to leadership in this area when the biggest threat to the coast is
the Minister for Planning’s approval of massive coastal developments
in areas where major developments should not be built.”  Ms Hale
said.

Further information: Chris Holley 02 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546