Thursday,
23 March 2006
Media
Statement
Rally
Planned: Local Government Opposes Latest Planning Legislation
A
rally in front of Parliament in Macquarie Street at 12.30pm next
Tuesday 28 March is being planned by the Local Government Association
of NSW to express local government's opposition to the latest
planning reform legislation.
It is a crucial moment as the
debate on the Environment Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2006
in the Legislative Council is likely to conclude on this day.
The
Bill delivers unprecedented powers to the Minister for Planning to
override decision making of local councils and their communities.
If
passed, the Minister, without a requirement to give reasons or
consult the community, will be able to amend or repeal local council
planning policies and appoint an administrator or panel to determine
local development applications.
This is an unjustified attack
on local government, while the increased centralisation of planning
power in one person along with the reduction in transparency and
accountability are a recipe for corruption.
Speakers will
include LGA President and Mayor of North Sydney Genia
McCaffery.
Randwick Deputy Mayor Murray Matson (The Greens)
states that he will be going to the rally.