[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Local Communities Marginalised in Planning Changes

[Christopher Holley]

Local Communities Marginalised in Planning Changes

The state government has given itself even greater powers over local
development decisions under new planning procedures announced today.

“These new procedures will see decision-making power taken away from
elected local councillors and handed over to planning panels dominated
by state government appointees,” said Greens MP and planning
spokesperson Sylvia Hale.

“I am appalled that the Minister is proposing to appoint property
developers to these panels. It’s not an independent panel if it’s
appointed by the Labor Planning Minister and includes representatives of
companies that donate millions of dollars to the NSW Labor Party.”

“The panels will not be accountable to local residents, they will
only be accountable to the Minister for Planning.”

“This is the latest example of the way this government is cutting the
community out of local planning decisions.”

“Sending development applications from big party donors to a Planning
Assessment Commission that is appointed by and answerable solely to the
Minister is not good enough. 
 
“People don’t just want developer donations disclosed, they want
them stopped.”

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