As the State Member for Davidson confidently predicted in Parliament last week, Planning Minister Frank Sartor has egg on his face after having to disband the first Planning Panel at Ku-ring-gai Council and appoint a new one.
“There were always question marks over the rushed way in which the Minister appointed the Panel and one of the biggest bones of contention was the huge increase in the potential town centre areas,” Mr Jonathan O’Dea said.
“In my speech last Thursday I identified the Minister’s failure to recognise considerable improvements Ku-ring-gai Council had made in addressing development applications in recent years, particularly under Mayor Nick Ebbeck.
“I also called on the Government to exempt Ku-ring-gai from onerous State dual occupancy provisions and to immediately consider Council’s proposed conservation zones for gazettal.
“This latest move by Minister Sartor to appoint a second Panel is another rushed effort to try and patch up a flawed process. I understand Ku-ring-gai Council will continue with its legal objections and fight to protect local democracy.
“I call on Minister Sartor to properly revisit the facts and process leading to the appointment of a Planning Panel so the ratepayers and Council are not subject to more uncertainty. If this is not done then Mr Sartor will again have egg on his face.
“Mr Sartor should stop creating additional cost and difficulty for a Council which has been performing well. The local community does not deserve to be treated in such a cavalier way.”
For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.
