Greens welcome O’Farrell’s commitment to return planning powers to local councils

“For his commitment to have real meaning, Mr O’Farrell should also commit the Opposition to abolishing Joint Regional Planning Panels (JRPPs).

“He has said that he will remove the notorious Part 3A from the Planning Act but has not said what he will do about the Planning Panels. Their abolition is essential if his undertaking to return planning powers to local councils is to have any meaning.

“The Panels effectively transfer planning powers from elected, accountable councillors and hand it to unelected, unaccountable Ministerial appointees.

“Part 3A and JRRPs have been used to impose unpopular and environmentally damaging developments right across NSW.

“If Mr O’Farrell and the Liberals are serious, they must join with The Greens to introduce a new planning system that is environmentally focused, takes into account the broader social impacts of development, and genuinely involves residents in the decision-making process.

“Anything less than this will to amount to a continuation of the current ad hoc and corrupt planning system under another name,” said Ms Hale.

While welcoming Mr O’Farrell’s referral of planning powers back to local government, Ms Hale has criticised the Government’s new Town Centres Local Environment Plan for Ku-ring-gai that has effectively marginalised Ku-ring-gai residents.

“While the State Government talks about community consultation, the fact is the community of Ku-ring-gai have been ignored and the interests of the big developers who have donated millions to the Government have been prioritised.

“Planning Minister Kelly talks about increases in the number of buildings given heritage protection, but he ignores the reality that heritage is not simply about individual buildings.  Rather it is about the contribution each building makes to its neighbour.

“Saving an early twentieth century bungalow or church only for it to be sandwiched between enormous cement-rendered unit blocks is deeply unsympathetic to the heritage of the area and will irrevocably undermine the look and feel of  Ku-ring-gai,” said Ms Hale.

Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124