Planning Minister Wynne claims the Bill is going to improve decision-making and planning outcomes, and increase the confidence of residents in the planning system.
Will it make a difference? Very little….. See our edited submission to the Parliamentary Environment & Planning Committee (submissions closed on July 6).
THIS is how the relevant bits of the Act would read if the Bill in its current form is passed
This issue is politically important because this Bill is the result of an ALP election promise to ‘give the community a voice‘. The Minister claims the Bill will improve decision-making and planning outcomes, and increase community confidence in the planning system. But if it’s going to be able to do that, it needs to be toughened up a bit first – and the Upper House of Parliament is the best place to start!
So please lobby your local MPs and cross-bench Upper House MPs, even if you just reiterate some of our key points and your own comments.
Sixteen submissions have been lodged with the Upper House Parliamentary Environment & Planning Committee, which consists of 3 Coalition MPs, 3 ALP MPs, Greens planning spokesperson Samantha Dunn MP and Daniel Brown MP of the Shooters and Fishers Party – quite a varied bunch, and the cross-benchers have more power in the new Parliament.
At a half-day hearing on July 10, five organisations also addressed the Committee – the transcripts of their comments can be read HERE (including only one community group presentation).
The Bill won’t come up again in the Parliament until after the winter recess (ie, in August), so this is an ideal time to talk to your local MP.
I would love to send pictures of completely re razed blocks in What was leafy Kew