1 October, 2013
Hunter environment at risk under new planning system
The CEO of the Nature Conservation Council will be in Newcastle today (October 1) to launch a new report highlighting the hidden risks in the NSW Government’s proposed new planning laws.
The report, entitled Nature in the Balance: Environmental protections at risk under the proposed new planning system for New South Wales, exposes serious flaws in the draft Planning Bill 2013, which is due to be debated in parliament next month.
“The proposed new planning laws pose a serious threat to the sensitive environments and rural lifestyles that people in the Hunter region value so much,” NCC Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke.
“These laws are unfair and unbalanced, putting the interests of developers before the needs of the broader community and the protection of the natural environment.
“Under the new laws, developers would have new rights to override local plans and challenge council zoning decisions, placing existing environmental protections at risk.”
In addition, State Environmental Planning Policies, which contain protections for sensitive environmental areas like koala habitat, rainforest and coastal wetlands, will cease to exist under the new planning system.
“The government has announced that these planning policies will be scrapped, but has failed to guarantee that the environmental protections they contain will be carried over to the new system,” Mr Clarke said.
“With development pressures mounting in the Hunter region, we need planning laws that protect the natural environment and local communities.
“Instead, the government is proposing to reduce environmental safeguards in the planning system, and to exclude expert environmental agencies from important development decisions.”
Under the new laws, high-impact developments like subdivisions and some industrial facilities will no longer need approval from expert agencies, including DPI Fisheries and the Environment Protection Authority.
“Removing the requirement for approval from expert agencies will place our rivers, wetlands and wildlife habitat at risk, when they are already under stress from pollution and poorly planned development.
“We are calling on Premier O’Farrell to withdraw these deeply flawed laws, and to develop a new proposal for a planning system that is fair, balanced and environmentally responsible.”
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Planning and Development
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