The Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea has called on Planning Minister Frank Sartor to revert to the original area of control for the Planning Panel appointed late last year.
Mr O’Dea said he was shocked to learn of the huge increase in the area to be under the Panel’s control from 21 January.
“The fact that increases range from 77 percent in Lindfield to a massive 525 percent in Pymble is worrying as this gives the Panel the power to bring in more high density development than Ku-ring-gai Council would have approved,” Mr O’Dea said.
“This is planning by stealth and Mr Sartor is forcing his will on the ratepayers of Ku-ring-gai. Mr Sartor’s statement that he did not intend to make the town centre boundaries bigger only questions the competency of both himself and his department.
“A petition last year launched by the Federal Member for Bradfield, Brendan Nelson attracted over 4,000 signatures. Those ratepayers were against the appointment of the Planning Panel and overdevelopment in general and their views should not be ignored.
“It is my understanding Council, and therefore ratepayers, are expected to pay the whole cost of the Planning Panel and that is also unfair as Council has not budgeted for the cost.
“Surely the costs of the Panel should be borne by the State Government. This is typical of the Iemma Government expecting local government to be more efficient while it constantly does less with more State revenue.
“Minister Sartor must reconsider this whole exercise, especially the cost to Ku-ring-gai Council. Duplicating planning resources and increasing the cost burden is far from sensible.”
For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.
