11 September, 2013
Peak environment group welcomes local government intervention in planning reform process
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has welcomed today’s intervention by Local Government NSW (LGNSW) in the planning reform process.
Today, LGNSW announced that it has written to Premier O’Farrell, warning that his government “risks a council-led direct action campaign” against its controversial planning legislation if it fails to address the concerns of local councils and the communities they represent. [1]
“Over the past year, a wide range of respected public institutions have raised serious concerns about the direction the planning reforms, but government has repeatedly failed to address these concerns,” said Pepe Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“This strong intervention by local government is a direct reflection of widespread community alarm about the impacts of the proposed reforms on community rights, heritage and the environment.
“Government must heed this powerful warning from local councils, and go back to the drawing board on this legislation.
“The government’s proposals for the new planning system are unbalanced and unfair, placing the interests of developers above the rights of local communities and protection of the environment.
“The community must not be shut out of the development assessment process.
“Our state deserves a planning system that promotes active community participation, vibrant local communities and a healthy natural environment,” he said.
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Planning and Development
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