Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, and Member for Ku-ring-gai, Barry O’Farrell, have welcomed the opportunity today to put Ku-ring-gai planning concerns directly to new Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally.
Mr O’Dea organised a delegation of community leaders, including the Presidents of the Friends of Kur-ring-gai Environment (FOKE), Ku-ring-gai Preservation Trust (KPT) and Friends of Turramurra. Newly elected Ku-ring-gai Council Mayor, Elaine Malicki, apologised and will separately meet with the Minister and Council officers next week.
“It was a breakthrough opportunity for the community to outline long-held concerns over inappropriate development in the Ku-ring-gai Council area, directly with the new Minister,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“In particular, the number of new dwellings planned for the area, under the Metropolitan Planning Strategy, was brought to the Minister’s attention and assurances sought that the figure would not be exceeded” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Under the Strategy, 10,000 new dwellings are required for the area by 2031 but there is strong evidence that the number already approved or planned exceeds this.
“Community concerns were also expressed over the lack of local conservation areas, reduced community input and the impact of concentrated residential dwellings in designated town centres,” Mr O’Dea said.
Many believe the town centre plans take little account of the local environment, historic characteristics and the much-valued Ku-ring-gai lifestyle,” Mr O’Dea continued.
The Minister indicated that she would consider the material presented in an open-minded spirit. She also accepted an invitation to personally visit Ku-ring-gai, hopefully in the near future.
“The Minister now has the opportunity to address those concerns and given the strong case outlined by the Ku-ring-gai community representatives, we are hopeful the Minister will respond positively,” Mr O’Dea and Mr O’Farrell concluded.
