18 September, 2014
Community demands a corruption-resistant planning system that is fair and transparent
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has become a signatory to the Community Charter for Good Planning in NSW, an attempt by community and conservation groups to fill the policy vacuum left in the wake of the government’s failed planning bill. [1]
The Charter outlines essential features of a corruption-resistant planning system that puts the needs of people and the environment ahead of the interests of developers and the coal and gas industries.
“The people rejected the Coalition government’s planning bill last year because it was a threat to communities and the environment,” said NSW Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski.
“The bill would have given property developers and coal miners more rights than ordinary citizens. Since then the government has failed to articulate a positive vision of a planning system for NSW that is fair and balanced.
“That’s why conservation and community groups have drafted the Community Charter for Good Planning – to fill the policy void created by the government’s lack of vision.”
Ms Smolski said signatories to the Charter wanted an ecologically sustainable planning system built on fairness and equity and which protected the things people valued, including open space, bushland, productive agricultural land, historic town centres and old buildings.
“The Coalition’s leadership team promised before the last election they would return power in the planning system to the people,” Ms Smolski said. “The people are still waiting.
“The Coalition has also failed to deliver on its promise to restore balance by limiting the amount of ministerial discretion in the system, which is a serious corruption risk.
“Time is running out before the next election for government to make good on its promises, fix the planning system and commit to the principles outlined in the Charter.”
The Charter has been endorsed by several peak organisations, including:
- Better Planning Network
- Nature Conservation Council of NSW
- The National Trust of Australia (NSW)
- National Parks Association of NSW
- The Total Environment Centre
- Australia ICOMOS (International Committee of Monuments and Sites)
- Our Land Our Water Our Future
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[1] Community Charter for Good Planning in NSW, www.nature.org.au/media/1880/planning-for-people-a-community-charter-for-good-planning-in-nsw-2014.pdf
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Planning and Development
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