Now it’s war

BY PAM WALKER
Banners over Bondi Pavilion and in Oxford Street Bondi Junction will declare war on the State Government over proposed reforms of planning laws.

The council is joining a statewide campaign run by the Local Government Association to fight legislation councils claim will take power away from them and from communities.

Waverley mayor Ingrid Strewe said power to make decisions that directly affect the community should be in the hands of people who know the area best, the local council.

And she said the draft Bill makes the planning process more complex instead of simplifying it as Planning Minister Frank Sartor claims.
‘They’re kidding themselves that this will speed things up ‘ it looks so complex,’ Councillor Strewe said. ‘Far from simplifying the process it will complicate it because there are increasing layers of assessment.’

The mayor is also concerned about the proposed role of private certifiers in approving development applications, and about the role of external bodies in approving rezoning of land.
‘There are stronger penalties for private certifiers doing the wrong thing [fine increased from $11,000 to $110,000] but now they propose to also give them the power to approve developments. I see absolutely no role for private certifiers in approving DAs,’ she said.

The council lodged a submission to the draft Bill, after presenting a submission to the discussion paper released last November, which Cr Strewe says the minister appears to have ignored.

‘The draft Bill does not address the concerns we raised in the first instance and the time frame for us to review the legislation was much too short. I want the minister to read our submissions, think about what he’s doing, come to Waverley and consult with the community, and then withdraw or change some of his proposals,’ Mayor Strewe said.

A spokesperson for Planning Minister Frank Sartor said the reforms aimed to speed up small home renovations.
 
‘Key elements of the reforms – such as expanding complying development, introducing third party appeals and arbitrators for minor developments – are designed to directly benefit ‘mum and dad applicants’ because they use the system the most.
 
‘We are developing rules for complying development that allow for minor development, but also protect the neighbour.
 
‘Of course, if a proposal does not meet the rules, then an application would have to be lodged with the council just as it is now.’
 
The spokesperson said an expert panel consisting mainly of local government professionals had been established to prepare draft codes for public comment, the first due in May.

But Genia McCaffery, president of the Local Government Association (LGA), said the changes would make the system more complex and increase costs to ratepayers.  

“Councils will have less money to deliver crucial local services like childcare centres and libraries, and communities will lose their right to have a say over local development in their area,’ she said.

The LGA has been running a ‘Keep It Local’ campaign (www.keepitlocal.org.au) against the proposed reforms, due in Parliament within weeks. Councils are also calling for an inquiry into the changes.