[Greens-Media] (Hale MLC) Greens welcome O’Farrell’s commitment to return planning powers to local councils

[Colin Hesse]

Media Release
 
>From Sylvia Hale, Greens MP and spokesperson for Planning
 
31 May 2010 - For immediate release
 
Greens welcome O’Farrell’s commitment to return planning powers to
local councils
 
Greens MP and planning spokesperson Sylvia Hale has welcomed Opposition
Leader Barry O’Farrell’s statement that, if elected in March 2011,
he will return planning powers to local councils.
 
“Mr O’Farrell’s statement is welcome but is too narrow in
focus,” said Ms Hale. 
 
“For his commitment to have real meaning, Mr O’Farrell should also
commit the Opposition to abolishing Joint Regional Planning Panels
(JRPPs).
 
“He has said that he will remove the notorious Part 3A from the
Planning Act but has not said what he will do about the Planning Panels.
Their abolition is essential if his undertaking to return planning
powers to local councils is to have any meaning.
 
“The Panels effectively transfer planning powers from elected,
accountable councillors and hand it to unelected, unaccountable
Ministerial appointees.
 
“Part 3A and JRRPs have been used to impose unpopular and
environmentally damaging developments right across NSW.
 
“If Mr O’Farrell and the Liberals are serious, they must join with
The Greens to introduce a new planning system that is environmentally
focused, takes into account the broader social impacts of development,
and genuinely involves residents in the decision-making process.
 
“Anything less than this will to amount to a continuation of the
current ad hoc and corrupt planning system under another name,” said
Ms Hale.
 
While welcoming Mr O’Farrell’s referral of planning powers back to
local government, Ms Hale has criticised the Government’s new Town
Centres Local Environment Plan for Ku-ring-gai that has effectively
marginalised Ku-ring-gai residents. 
 
“While the State Government talks about community consultation, the
fact is the community of Ku-ring-gai have been ignored and the interests
of the big developers who have donated millions to the Government have
been prioritised.
 
“Planning Minister Kelly talks about increases in the number of
buildings given heritage protection, but he ignores the reality that
heritage is not simply about individual buildings.  Rather it is about
the contribution each building makes to its neighbour.
 
“Saving an early twentieth century bungalow or church only for it to
be sandwiched between enormous cement-rendered unit blocks is deeply
unsympathetic to the heritage of the area and will irrevocably undermine
the look and feel of  Ku-ring-gai,” said Ms Hale.
 
Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124