The draft planning proposal for land around the Gordon, St Ives, Turramurra, Pymble, Lindfield and Roseville centers is inappropriate in size and density, and will exacerbate problems associated with roads, public transport, essential service infrastructure and open space, according to Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea.
Mr O’Dea delivered this broadside during a speech in the NSW Parliament yesterday evening.
“Any proper analysis of the information available clearly demonstrates the 10,000 new dwellings agreed to under the Metropolitan Strategy by 2031, will be substantially exceeded.
“I believe the current figure is about 40% above the target, boosting the number by 4,000 to a total of 14,000 additional dwellings!” Mr O’Dea said.
“I will raise this in my meeting with the Chair of the Planning Panel next week.
“An earlier Ministerial promise that the 10,000 figure would be followed appears to have been ignored and I now call on the Minister to intervene.
“I further call on Planning Minister Keneally to release the latest information on the Town Centre Plans, including the promised viability analysis,” Mr O’Dea said.
“I also object to any private land being compulsorily acquired and to any re-zonings of land for open space, without the owner’s consent,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The jury is still out on the new Planning Minister, who has at least indicated a willingness to consult with our local community.
“We have requested that she intervene to achieve a more fair, balanced, democratic and discerning approach to planning in the Ku-ring-gai Council area,” he said.
“The community is calling for sustainable development – not overdevelopment – above the agreed targets. As broadcaster Alan Jones has said, people across Sydney realise that if it can happen in Ku-ring-gai, it can happen where they live!
“The unique character that has attracted people to Ku-ring-gai is under major threat,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Submissions on the draft Ku-ring-gai Town Centres Plan close on December 19 and I encourage anyone concerned about the future direction of Ku-ring-gai to read the documentation and make their views known,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
