Planning laws don’t sit right with National Trust

By Stephanie Dalzell

Proposed changes to the way councils approve planning developments will undermine the democratic system, according to the National Trust.
Under the draft amendment of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, design codes will be set by the State Government rather than in consultation with community members.
The Minister for Planning also has the power to acquire privately owned land if it is determined to be in the public?s interest.
National Trust conservation director, Graham Quint, said the proposed reforms were developer driven and engineered to limit community influence.
?We are concerned about the erosion of local government and the fact that residents will lose the right to comment on developments in their own neighbourhoods,? Mr Quint said.
But the Property Council of Australia has welcomed the draft legislation, saying that standardising development codes is simply common sense.
?There is no reason why NSW shouldn?t introduce practical reform that will reduce red tape and bring greater certainty to neighbourhood amenity,? executive director Ken Morrison said.
The draft amendments are due to be debated in Parliament this month.