The NSW Labor Government is moving to snatch even more planning powers away from the locally elected, Ku-ring-gai Council, according to Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea.
“It appears the heavy handed Keneally Government has learnt nothing from the past and is determined to continue riding roughshod over local communities,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The latest development centres on the reclassification of council-owned land, which until now has been in the control of the local council.
“However, Planning Minister, Tony Kelly has advised Ku-ring-gai Council he is considering a transfer of the role to the State Government appointed Planning Panel and has required the Council to show cause why he should not proceed.
“This heavy-handed approach is inconsistent with previous assurances that the reclassification of council-owned land is a matter for the Council,” Mr O’Dea said.
“In an answer to a question I asked on notice, the Planning Minister stated:
The draft Town Centres Local Environmental Plan prepared by the Ku-ring-gai Planning Panel does not seek to reclassify land. Any decision relating to reclassification of land in Ku-ring-gai is a separate process which is currently the responsibility of Ku-ring-gai Council”(1)
“In response to another question, the Minister also clearly indicated that any timeframes involved were a matter for Council. The Minister has harshly changed his tune, leaving Ku-ring-gai residents understandably asking if they can trust NSW Labor on anything,” he said.
“The Planning Panel has already overridden the council on the Town Centres LEP and it now appears the Minister wants the Panel to determine the reclassification of council-owned land to force even more development into the Ku-ring-gai Council area.
“The result would be a further win for developers while the voice of the people, through a democratically elected council, is further weakened,” Mr O’Dea said.
“If the NSW Liberals & Nationals are elected to Government next March, a major initiative will be to return planning powers back to local communities and allow residents a greater say on the future direction of their neighbourhoods. Full details can be found at www.startthechange.com.au,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
(1) Question 8355, asked by Jonathan O’Dea on 28/10/09 and answered on 02/12/09
