[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Wollongong Cleans Up at Bad Developer Awards

[Christopher Holley]

Wollongong Cleans Up at Bad Developer Awards

Wollongong Council and the Illawarra’s corrupt developers have
featured prominently in this year’s “Toasters” awards for bad
development, hosted by NSW Greens MP Sylvia Hale.

 Corrupt Wollongong developer Frank Vellar took out the coveted
“Golden Toaster” as the Bad Developer of the Year for 2008.

 The sacked Wollongong Council, which has had ICAC corruption findings
made against eight former Councillors and staff members, was named Worst
Council.

 “I can’t think of any developer in the history of these awards who
so richly deserves the title of “Bad Developer”, said Ms Hale. 

 “The corruption surrounding Wollongong Council has exposed the
sleazy side of the property development industry. I guess they have done
us a favour by showing just how compromised the planning system can
become when developers start splashing around money to buy results.”

 There were over 50 nominations across10 categories for this year’s
awards.

 “Its not surprising that we have had so many nominations this year.
Encouraged by the state government’s new planning laws unscrupulous
developers are outdoing themselves finding new ways to make a quid out
of wrecking the environment and the heritage of our villages, towns and
cities.”

 Other notable award “winners” were the V8 supercar track at
Olympic Park which won in the worst commercial development category and
the proposed Tillegra Dam in the Hunter Valley for most environmentally
damaging development, both of which have state government backing. 

 Proposed housing developments at Currawong on Pittwater and Catherine
Hill Bay, south of Newcastle took out the metropolitan and regional
awards respectively for worst residential developments.

 The Coalition for Planning Reform, made up of various development
industry lobby groups won the award for “most insidious industry group
lobbying effort” for its support for Frank Sartor’s recent
pro-developer amendments to the planning laws 

 On a more positive note the Camden Haven Eco-Village on the mid-North
coast won the best development category and The Friends of Currawong and
the Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association shared the award for best
community campaign.

 
2008 Toasters Awards for Bad Development 

Hosted by NSW Greens MP Sylvia Hale
 
"Winners" List:

Golden Toaster 2008  for Bad Developer Of The Year: 
Frank Vellar
  
The Worst Council:  
Wollongong Council

The Worst Industrial/Commercial Development: 
 V8 Supercars at Olympic Park 
 
Worst Residential Development ( Regional):  
Catherine Hill Bay - Rose Group
 
Worst Residential Development - (Metropolitan):
Currawong - Eco-Villages (Linz & Litver)
Pitt Town -  Johnson Property Group
(Joint Winners)

The Most Environmentally Destructive Development:
Tillegra Dam Proposal, Williams River,  Hunter Valley 

Worst Government Department:
Dept of Lands
  
The Most Insidious Industry Group Lobbying Effort:
Coalition For Planning Reform

The Best Community Campaign:  
Friends Of Currawong
Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association
(Joint Winners) 
  
Best Development: 
Camden Haven Eco Village 
Annie Georgeson Design Studio
 
Further information: Chris Holley 02 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546