Concern over proposed changes to planning laws

Community members are concerned and uncertain about proposed changes to planning laws, revealed by the state government last Wednesday.

The Minister for Planning, Brad Hazzard, announced the proposed changes to the planning laws, introducing a system whereby communities will agree on developments before construction. Communities will no longer be able to object or modify parts of developments during their
construction.

Local governments will also have less power in planning decisions, while local councillors will be involved in creating planning frameworks but not assessing individual developments. A spokesman for Mr Hazzard said the proposed changes would allow for greater certainty and efficiency in developments. He said developers will no longer have unexpected impediments to their projects.

“This will also depoliticise the planning process,” the spokesman said. “No longer will local or state politicians be subject to controversial planning decisions; this will be left to an independent expert body.”

City of Sydney Greens Councillor, Irene Doutney, questioned the
proposed changes and said they would limit community engagement.
“[The] new laws will give certainty to developers by restricting community input so that they [residents] can only comment on large scale plans,” said Cr Doutney. “Developers may welcome the certainty but for the rest of the community this is going to create an incredibly confusing lack of certainty.”

Elizabeth Elenius, the Convenor of Pyrmont Action (a local community
and resident group), shared similar concerns about the proposals.
“It gives developers certainty that the government will rubber stamp
whatever proposal they come up with,”said Ms Elenius. “What about certainty for local communities that something like the proposed Tigers
development at Rozelle won’t be dumped on them?”

Geoff Turnbull, spokesman for the community and resident group REDWatch, said changes similar to those proposed by the state government were implemented in parts of Redfern and Waterloo. He said
the changes failed to bring greater consultation and caused considerable disappointment in parts of the community.

“The main problem with these proposals is getting the community
involved at a very early stage,” said Mr Turnbull. “For many it is simply theoretical until something goes up next door and then when it effects them, they scream. Mr Turbull said the proposed changes would be acceptable provided the government achieves proper community consultation before developments begin.

“If everything is to be up front then consultation has to be really about getting a community engaged, helping them to understand the issues and engaging them,” he said.