Hills Shire Council seeks exemption from planning panels

HILLS Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne has said NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts has denied requests for a meeting to discuss concerns surrounding Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels a claim the minister refutes.

United to object to IHAPs. Parramatta councillor Benjamin Barrak, Penrith councillor Karen McKeown, Kur-in-gai Deputy Mayor Callum Clarke, Seven Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Parramatta councillor Bill Tyrell (not visible), Hornsby Deputy Mayor Vince Del Gallego, Hawkesbury Mayor Mary Lyons-Buchett and Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali. Picture: AAP Image/Angelo Velardo

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HILLS Mayor Michelle Byrne has locked horns with NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, claiming he denied requests for a meeting to discuss concerns about Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels.

It is understood the council called for an urgent meeting on August 25 and December 18 last year.

Cr Byrne said she would seek an urgent meeting with the minister to request an exemption from “unnecessary and unwelcome policy”.

She said after a meeting last week, when seven Sydney councillors gathered at The Hills Council, it was clear there was strong bipartisan support against the decision to appoint IHAPs.

The panel would remove the ability to make planning decisions from elected council representatives.

“Since that meeting, we’ve become aware that City of Parramatta Council has since considered a report on appointing panel members to its IHAP — and they have resolved that consideration of the matter be deferred pending a meeting with the minister to seek exemption,” she said.

A spokesman for Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said no meetings with The Hills Shire Council were declined.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts. Picture: AAP Image/Sue Graham

“The minister, his staff and senior department officials have been on open dialogue with council for months over various matters,” the spokesman said.

“There has been no single meeting arranged specifically for IHAPs.

“However, it is disingenuous to suggest that at any of the meetings held, council was prohibited from raising the issue of IHAPs.

“Every opportunity has been provided by the officials within the planning portfolio to address a number of issues concerning The Hills Shire Council, however IHAPs are not optional or negotiable following the bipartisan passage of the Bill last year.”

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The spokesman said shortly after the legislation was passed, the minister’s office received a meeting request from The Hills Shire Council.

“Since that time the minister has met with The Hills Shire Council on two occasions,” he said.

“The IHAP will be a great outcome for the ratepayers of the Hills, bringing transparency, integrity and a high degree of probity to the development application (DA) assessment process.”

He said Mr Roberts encouraged The Hills Shire Council to expedite its adherence to the compulsory legislation.