Katie Joyner named as planning staffer at centre of state parliament land rezoning furore

A bureaucrat at the centre of a controversy aired in ­parliament over the purchase of a property before it was subject to a rezoning proposal for higher density has been named.

A car entering the home owned by senior planner Katie Joyner (inset) who has been revealed as staffer mentioned in parliament over the rezoning furore.

Editor’s Note: On March 18 the ICAC announced that it had completed its investigation into a complaint levelled against Ms Joyner and found no wrongdoing. It said: “The Commission is satisfied there is no evidence that Ms Joyner or any other person engaged in corrupt conduct, and has accordingly determined to close its investigation.”

A bureaucrat at the centre of a controversy aired in ­parliament over the purchase of a property before it was proposed to be rezoned for higher density, has been revealed as a senior planning official and “ministerial ­delegate”.

Katie Joyner, the Department of Planning’s director for the City of Sydney and Eastern District, has been stood down pending further investigations into the claims.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which will now consider whether to launch a formal inquiry into the matter.

It was alleged in state parliament last week by shadow ­attorney-general Alister Henskens that a bureaucrat, which The Daily Telegraph can now reveal is Ms Joyner, offered to provide information to her neighbours about a landmark proposal to rezone residential land on Sydney’s north shore.

Ms Joyner and her partner are the owners of a five-bedroom home near Gordon train station which they bought in August last year for $3.8m. Four months later, Gordon was announced by the Department of Planning as one of the suburbs to be rezoned under the “Transport Oriented Development” program.

Katie Joyner, the Department of Planning Director for the City of Sydney and Eastern District. Photo: Supplied

Mr Henskens claimed in parliament there was a “strong circumstantial case” to show Ms Joyner bought the property with inside knowledge of the potential rezoning.

The Daily Telegraph does not make the same assertion.

Multiple attempts were made to reach Ms Joyner for comment on Sunday.

Premier Chris Minns said on Sunday: “There are strict disclosure requirements for senior officials in the Department of Planning and you’d appreciate that was the case when you’re dealing with sensitive rezoning, changes to LEPs (local environmental plans) and height levels and density levels that are in place.

“Those provisions are in place for senior executives in the Department of Planning as a matter of course.”

On Monday morning, the premier acknowledged the allegations against Ms Joyner were serious.

“I think the appropriate course of action has been taken, the senior bureaucrat has been stood down, and the Department of Planning has referred all of these allegations as well as any information they have to the Independent Commission Against Corruption,” Mr Minns said to 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“That’s why we have an independent ICAC to conduct these inquiries, I encourage other people to forward information to them as well.”

It’s unknown whether Ms Joyner made any disclosures, or provided any explanation to her employer regarding the purchase of the property.

Ms Joyner’s house in Gordon. Picture: Tom Parrish

The Minns government’s housing plan allows the land close to almost 40 railway stations to be rezoned, allowing for high-rise development and the construction of 180,000 new homes.

Documents seen by The Daily Telegraph show that after the rezoning proposal was made public, Ms Joyner encouraged residents to support it.

The Daily Telegraph has sighted a recent draft letter – intended to be sent to Planning Minister Paul Scully – that was circulated to residents on Ms Joyner’s street.

The Daily Telegraph has been able to independently verify the letter was authored by “Katie Joyner”.

“We represent a consortium of landowners in immediate proximity to Gordon Station. The consolidated land ownership equals xxx square metres of prime residential land,” the draft letter reads.

“We confirm our support for the intent … but call for a higher density than the nominated 3:1 floor space ratio and 21 metre height limit, as it is unlikely that given costs and other feasibility hurdles associated with residential development that renewal and new housing supply will occur for some time.

“Our assessment suggests that heights at 12-15 storeys should be the bare minimum to realise new dwellings at the doorstep of Gordon Station within a five-year period.

“We trust that the NSW Department of Planning takes this rare opportunity for a bold but necessary increase in density in proximity to Gordon Station.”

A car pulls into the Ms Joyner’s house in Gordon. Picture: Tom Parrish

The Daily Telegraph has also seen a separate group message sent to residents by Ms Joyner on December 12, shortly after the major ­rezoning plan was accidentally released on the Planning NSW website.

Alister Henskens aired the claims in parliament

NSW Premier Chris Minns said there are strict disclosure requirements for senior officials. Picture: David Swift

It said: “I wonder if you have seen any of the media leaks about planning reforms near train stations. If approved, this will affect Gordon and land within 400 metres as the crow flies.

“The intent is blanket permissible increases in height and density.

“I am happy to share what information I can (verbally) as the information is due to go on the NSW Department of Planning website by the end of this week.”

Ms Joyner has been a respected senior public servant in the state government for at least seven years, previously holding roles with transport and education. As a “ministerial delegate” in the Department of Planning, she has the authority to make decisions of state significance which do not always require approval of Planning Minister Mr Scully.

There is no suggestion Ms Joyner used her powers as a ministerial delegate in any way relating to the north shore rezoning, or that writing to residents in support of the rezoning was improper.

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