In a speech to NSW Parliament yesterday, the Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea welcomed the prompt repeal of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
Speaking on behalf of his electorate, Mr O'Dea said the previous legislation had resulted "in a denial of local democracy and local input". He singled out examples in Lindfield and St Ives of residential developments where "Part 3A had been used inappropriately".
"The local community will be delighted that concrete action has been taken, as promised before the election", Mr O'Dea said.
"The new legislation contains welcome changes to joint regional planning panels that increase the threshold from $10 million to $20 million and provide a more consultative chairperson appointment process".
In saying this, Mr O'Dea echoed the comments of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard, who said that "Under the new legislation, around half of the projects previously assessed under Part 3A will be returned to local councils".
This will ensure that the Government will only become involved in projects of genuine state significance, leaving local councils to reflect and respond to local community attitudes and input on planning issues.
Mr O'Dea was scathing in his speech replying to comments made by the Shadow Treasurer Michael Daley, which he said were implicitly critical of the people of the Ku-ring-gai Council area for resisting high rise development in their community.
He said, "This comment again demonstrates how the NSW Labor Party does not care for or understand my part of Sydney or value its heritage and environmental value".
Mr O'Dea said that with comments like that from the Shadow Treasurer it was no wonder the March election result "reflects the disdain and contempt that people in my area have for the Labor Party".
