[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Catherine Hill Bay is Still Under Threat

[Christopher Holley]

Minister’s Statement Ensures Catherine Hill Bay is Still Under Threat
 
Today’s statement by NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally
following the decision of the Land and Environment Court to overturn the
approval of the controversial Catherine Hill Bay and Gwandalan
residential projects has left the door open for the developments to
proceed.

“While the Greens welcome the announcement that the government will
not appeal the decision or try to overturn it with retrospective
legislation, Minister Keneally’s statement essentially invites the
developer, a major party donor, to apply again so the Minister can send
it off to her hand-picked Planning Commission for approval,” said Ms
Hale.

“A great victory for the environment and for residents and concerned
citizens of the Central Coast may now be snatched away by the government
to the benefit of one of Labor’s biggest financial sponsors.”

“The finding by the Court of an apprehension of bias by former
Planning Minister Frank Sartor in giving the original consents for these
projects raises very serious questions about the relationship between
this government and its financial supporters in the property development
industry.” 

“So long as Labor keeps pocketing the developers’ dollars the
Minister’s so-called ‘independent Planning Assessment Commission’,
which she alone appoints, is nothing more than window dressing,”
concluded Ms Hale.

Further information: Chris Holley 0437 779 546