[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Fight for Mt Barker comes to Parliament

[Parnell]

Media Release
Thursday 28th October 2010

Fight for Mt Barker comes to Parliament


Speakers from the Mt Barker community and Council have told Members of Parliament that they are 'hopping mad' at the 'appalling' mass re-zoning of prime farm land for new housing development.

Today's forum in Parliament House was organised by Greens MLC Mark Parnell, and featured Bill Chandler, head Planner from the Mt Barker Council, and 2 local landowners Julie Ellis and Skye Crawford.

The plan to re-zone over 1,300 hectares of agricultural land around Mt Barker and Nairne has the local community up in arms, sparking an unprecedented 5 nights (a SA record) of formal public hearings.

"Planning Minister Paul Holloway said that he couldn't attend any of the public hearings in Mt Barker," said Mr Parnell.

"So, if Holloway won't go to the Mountain, then the Mountain has come to Holloway.

"I am very disappointed, though, that the Planning Minister did not take yet another opportunity to hear firsthand the depth of anger and distress from the Mt Barker community about his misguided plans," he said.

Today's forum is the first of 2 events this week that bring the debate over the future of Mt Barker out of the Hills and into the City.

Over the weekend, Mt Barker residents will take the 'Mountain to Mike' -walking from Mt Barker to the City Centre, culminating in a public rally in Victoria Square at 1pm.

For more information, go to www.stopurbansprawl.net



For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893



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