Sydney mayors unite in fight against NSW Government IHAP plan
COUNCILS across Sydney are taking a stand in a last-ditch effort against the State Government’s independent Hearing and Assessment Panels.
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COUNCILS across Sydney are taking a stand in a last-ditched effort against the State Government’s independent Hearing and Assessment Panels.
Despite panellist being announced and changes to planning laws to roll out next month, mayors and councillors from several local government areas across Sydney came together in bipartisan support to issue a battle cry against the decision to strip planning powers from elected representatives.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said IHAPs would increase red tape and slow down the application approval process.
“People expect that their elected representatives are going to be making the decisions,” Cr Byrne said. “Elected officials are held accountable for the decisions that they make by the community, this panel is accountable to no one.
“We are seeing the erosion of local government power. I encourage all councils across Sydney to come together to protest this appalling policy.”
Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said the State Government’s IHAP plans were undemocratic.
“Bit by bit, the NSW Government is taking away your say about what happens in your neighbourhood,” Cr Bali said. “Now elected councillors who are accountable to the community have no say over how our city is developed.”
Hawkesbury Council still had very little information as to how the mandatory IHAP structure would work, according to Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett.
“At the very minimum, I would have liked to delay the introduction of it, so that we can strengthen various planning instruments,” she said.
Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said costs to fund IHAPS would remove funds budgeted for local infrastructure, roads and parks.
“Council would be forced to cover the cost of the representatives and yet, had little say over the representation on the panel,” he said.
Cr Ruddock said development control and local environmental plans will be the last line of defence to ensure development keeps with future expectations of elected representatives.
Penrith councillor, Karen McKeown said councils would not take IHAPs “sitting down”.
“Our community, of more than 200,000 strong, elected representatives to shape the future of our city, but the government are coming in and overriding that democratic process,” she said.
“A dozen people are sitting around a table in Macquarie St, deciding what is right for our local community and that is just not right.”
Ku-ring-gai Deputy Mayor Callum Clarke said current DAs being submitted to council will not be determined by councillors.
“For Ku-ring-gai our major issues is a one size fits all policy that does not fit each council, let alone each ward,” Callum Clarke said.
While Parramatta councillors Bill Tyrrell and Ben Barrak said community representatives would be out numbered.
“The only way we can advocate on behalf of the community is by standing in front of these panels ourselves,” Cr Tyrrell said.
Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said the Department is establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework for IHAPs.
“This is a fantastic outcome for ratepayers as IHAPs bring transparency, integrity and a high degree of probity to the development application assessment process,” he said.
These panels, which will consider applications valued at between $5 million and $30 million as well as a range of high-risk development types, will give communities and ratepayers greater certainty about planning decisions.
“Most importantly, local councils will be able to focus on preparing the strategic plans and development controls that will identify the range and location of development types for their local area.”
Councils have called for a meeting with Mr Roberts, urging him to scrap plans for IHAPs.