This plan now includes the Minister taking complete control of all developer contribution funds normally held by councils.
It is obvious that the Iemma Government has a death wish.
"Under proposed reforms of the state's planning laws, the planning minister can agree to a 20-storey high-rise building in the middle of Lismore or Ballina and the local council would have absolutely no say.
That is just one of the alarming scenarios facing all mayors on the Northern Rivers – and throughout the state – which sparked a crisis meeting in Sydney recently attended by over 100 mayors including those from Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley and Kyogle.
Late last year Mr Sartor announced the proposed changes, which are designed to reduce processing times of development applications, and introduce a new system for approving development applications. It also decreases the amount of money big developers have to contribute to local government by up to 40 per cent.
The mayors fear that local council decision-making will be affected and the reduction in developer contributions (called Section 94 funds) could make community facilities such as new pools and playgrounds unaffordable.
Kyogle mayor Ernie Bennett, the president of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC), said the changes would undermine local democracy by taking many of the checks and balances out of the planning system.......
"The package of changes gives more power to unelected planning panels and private certifiers, and sets a target of allowing up to half of all new development to be approved by private certifiers using a 'one size fits all' checklist," Cr Bennett said. "That will be a significant change and will put the future character of our communities at risk."
Cr Bennett said the NSW Government's plan to slash developer contributions posed a great threat to small regional communities who relied on those funds to build vital social facilities."
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