Central Coast Local Planning Panel: Mayor vows to fight change
Central Coast mayor Jane Smith says a new local planning panel will not just take power away from a democratically elected council but also from residents.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Council sidelined as planning panel takes over
- Why this Umina eyesore is still standing
- First chance for close look at $350m hospital plan
Central Coast Mayor Jane Smith has accused the NSW Government of a “power grab” after yesterday’s announcment that a Local Planning Panel to oversee major developments.
Cr Smith said she would continue to fight the introduction of the Local Planning Panel which she said would take away power from council and the community.
She said Central Coast Council resolved in January this year to oppose the introduction of a planning panel and remain as the consent authority for major development on the Central Coast.
“This council is committed to progressing development that is in line with planning controls and community expectations and it is working. Development is moving and we are exceeding housing targets set by the State Government,” Cr Smith said.
“This intervention is unnecessary and is the latest in a series of moves by the State Government to take planning powers away from communities.
“The community could rightly be concerned when we see the State Government overriding the planning process of local councils.”
“We have seen the recent case intervention in a decision by the City of Sydney and the NSW Planning Department to oppose a tower development at Pyrmont,” Mayor Jane Smith added.
“This calls into question the independence of the planning system.
“The only way to restore faith in the community in the planning system is to keep planning powers in the hands of councils, with appropriate accountability and transparency.
“Councillors are elected by the community to make decisions on behalf of the community. We are accountable to them for the decisions we make. The imposition of a Local Planning Panel removes power further from members of the community and erodes their capacity to have a voice.
Mayor Smith has been part of Local Government NSW delegations to the Planning Minister and has spoken directly to him about concerns about the introduction of this Panel.
“I was hoping the voice of our community would be heard and it is extremely disappointing the State Government has moved this way.”