Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons backs push for high rise moratorium

Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons has called for a moratorium on high rise development in Moorebank.

Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons is calling for a moratorium on high rise developments in Moorebank until a review of the Liverpool Local Environmental Plan is completed.

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Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons has called for a moratorium on high rise development in Moorebank.

Ms Gibbons recently moved a motion in the NSW Legislative Assembly to highlight the “negative impact” development was having on the east Liverpool region.

She also requested Planning Minister Anthony Roberts ask the Greater Sydney Commission to “consider” a halt on high rise development until a review of the Local Environmental Plan was completed by Liverpool Council.

Jennifer Fitzgerald, Janice MacDougal, Michael Andjelkovic, Hayley Haute, Walter MacDougal and Carol O'Donnell are opposed to more high rise developments in Moorebank. Picture: Carmela Roche

It comes after a community petition calling for a moratorium on high rise development proposals in Moorebank and surrounding areas gathered more than 570 signatures.

Longtime Moorebank resident Carol O’Donnell started the petition with her daughter in October amid growing concerns about the level of development in the suburb.

Ms Gibbons said a response from the Planning Minister “should be received closer to the end of the year”.

She also urged Liverpool Council to create its new LEP in a “timely manner” and remove the R4 zoning that allows high density in Moorebank.

More high rise developments have been proposed for Moorebank. Picture: Robert Pozo

The LEP was last updated in 2008 by an administrator. It is currently being reviewed by the council.

“The Liberal State Government has provided them with $2.5 million to complete a new LEP — but it is still taking too long,” she said.

Ms Gibbons said a spot rezoning would provide the council “another avenue to fix this issue”.

“A spot rezoning would allow for the R4 in Moorebank to be removed, giving council the opportunity to solve this issue quickly.”

Community campaigner Michael Andjelkovic, who helped disseminate the petition, said residents were “upset and concerned” about overdevelopment in Moorebank.

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FULL STATEMENT FROM HOLSWORTHY STATE LIBERAL MP MELANIE GIBBONS:

“I continue to speak with residents who are also concerned with overdevelopment in Moorebank. Like them, I am disgusted by the inaction of Liverpool City Council to deal with the R4 (High Density) Zoning. The time for them to act is well overdue.

“This issue was first raised with me a couple of years ago, where I wrote to Council advising them of the communities’ concern, as I could see how unsuited the Moorebank area is for high rise development.

“I am disappointed that instead of addressing the problem then, they seem to have sat on their hands and it has only gotten worse.

“The Local Environment Plan (LEP) controls the zoning for the Liverpool Council area and was last updated in 2008 by the then Labor State Government appointed Administrator — from what I have been told there was little to no community consultation.

“Liverpool Council has had 10 years to correct their mistakes. The Liberal State Government has provided them with $2.5 Million to complete a new LEP — but it is still taking too long.

“I am continuing to call on Liverpool City Council to do their job and remove the R4 zoning from Moorebank.

“Recently, I presented a community petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly calling for a moratorium on development in Moorebank (and surrounding areas) until Liverpool Council complete their LEP Review.

“A response from the Minister should be received closer to the end of the year, in line with Parliament’s procedures.

“On 13 November, I also moved a motion in the NSW Legislative Assembly reiterating a request by the community for a moratorium on high rise development and I also called for a spot rezoning of the R4 in Moorebank, providing Council another avenue to fix this issue.

“A spot rezoning would allow for the R4 in Moorebank to be removed, giving Council the opportunity to solve this issue quickly.

“To be honest I am disappointed that Council has not had the foresight to do this already.

“I again call on Liverpool City Council to do their job and initiate a spot rezoning of Moorebank, to remove the R4 elements, and to ensure that the resident’s views on development are heard and taken into consideration.”