Wollongong LEP imperils future of the Royal National Park

“The decision to approve the Draft Wollongong LEP flies in the face of what the community had wanted from the process.  3,960 or 95% of all community submissions on the Draft review of 7D lands at Helensburgh and Otford objected to all or part of Council plans to allow greater development in the sensitive Upper Hacking River catchment, “ said Ms Hale, Greens Spokesperson for Planning.

“The Hacking River is the major river flowing through the iconic National Park which is greatly loved by the people of Sydney and the Illawarra.

“As far back as 1990 the National Parks and Wildlife Service declared that  ‘the Upper Hacking River catchment contains valuable plant and animal communities which are not adequately conserved,’ and that, ‘ideally the Service would like to add all these lands to the Park system.’

“There will be real anger in the community at the Government’s approval of an LEP that allows greater development on lands previously recommended for the highest level of environmental protection,” said Ms Hale.

“Planning Minister Kelly’s media release mentions neither the Minister for the Illawarra and Member for Heathcote, Paul McLeay, nor the Member for Keira, David Campbell. In the past, both have indicated their support for protecting the sensitive lands that link the Royal National Park and the Illawarra escarpment. They’re aware of the deep community disquiet over a process which saw the original draft LEP changed after the public consultation process had closed from E2, high level environmental protection, to E3, a zoning that permits significant development.

“With this new State-Government-approved LEP the gate has opened to a major increase in development in the Helensburgh and Otford area.

“The decision is characteristic of a Government that is disdainful of and out of touch with local communities.

“Residents are not the only ones outraged. The following groups have all expressed their dismay at the LEP’s removal of protections for such a sensitive environment: Otford Protection Society, Stanwell Tops Residents Awareness Association, Helensburgh and District Historical Society, Helensburgh and District Landcare, Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group, Illawarra Escarpment Coalition, Illawarra Greens, Sutherland Greens, National Parks Association of NSW, Total Environment Centre, Colong Foundation for Wilderness, The Wilderness Society, Nature Conservation Council of NSW.

Further information: Colin Hesse on 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124