Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, is spearheading a meeting with new Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, over inappropriate development in the Ku-ring-gai Council area.
This follows a formal request by Mr O’Dea for a meeting with the new Minister, after she replaced Frank Sartor.
“Many people have expressed concerns over the number of additional dwellings being planned for the area under the Metropolitan Planning Strategy,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Under the strategy, 10,000 new dwellings are required for the area by 2031 but there is strong evidence to suggest the figure will be exceeded. I have called for an urgent independent audit to determine the precise current position,” he said.
“The push by the former Minister to concentrate residential dwellings in town centres has appeared to take little account of historic characteristics, environmental values and a much-valued lifestyle, which helped place Ku-ring-gai at the top of a recent Quality of Life Index.
“Labor’s appointment of a controversial Planning Panel has also been viewed as limiting the right of the local community to determine its own future,” Mr O’Dea said
“Hopefully the new Minister will be more open to community concerns and allow local residents a greater say in determining the future of their environment.
“I will be meeting with the Minister on 21 October at Parliament House in Macquarie Street, along with Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell and other key local community leaders. All will be hoping for a breakthrough in the way Ku-ring-gai plans for the future.
“Sensible development is welcome, but it must take into account the existing environment and be accompanied by proper infrastructure investment,” Mr O’Dea said.
