The NSW Parliament today recognised the prompt action of the new Government to improve local democracy on planning issues for residents of the Ku-ring-gai Council area.
A successful motion from the Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea highlighted the welcome initiatives taken in the first few months of the O'Farrell Government.
"In its very first weeks, the new O'Farrell Government acted on a promise to scrap the Ku-ring-gai Planning Panel and the Part 3A provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act," Mr O'Dea told Parliament.
"The removal of Part 3A was welcomed across NSW as it had provided the Planning Minister sweeping powers to override local councils on major projects. It was controversially used on various residential developments in my local area," he said.
"The new framework will ensure all future development applications in NSW are assessed on merit and no longer vulnerable to backroom deals. It means the NSW public will have a much greater say on what occurs in their local communities.
"I am pleased that Planning Minister Hazzard has also removed 'SEPP53' from Ku-ring-gai Council – the only council area in NSW where it still applied. This effectively returned control over dual occupancy development to the council.
"These welcome initiatives reflect the new Government's desire to re-empower local communities and democratically elected councils," Mr O'Dea told Parliament.
This re-empowerment theme was further reinforced when, on 28 July 2011, the Land and Environment Court declared the recent Ku-ring-gai Town Centres LEP to be of no legal force or effect.
Minister Hazzard has flexibly offered assistance to the local council as it attempts to pick up the pieces and formulate a replacement planning instrument, with appropriate community input. He is also driving the current 18 month process to fully review NSW Planning Legislation.
"While challenges remain, it is appropriate to recognise the new government's prompt action to improve local democracy on planning issues, especially for residents of the Ku-ring-gai Council area," Mr O'Dea said.
