Planning reform groundswell:
104 groups reject Sartor's changes
Over 100 peak and regional environment and community organisations have today written to the NSW Premier outlining 6 key areas where the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) must be reformed to restore (EP&A Act) must be reformed to restore community participation in the planning process.
The letter also tells The Premier that changes to the NSW Planning System, proposed by Planning Minister Sartor, will only serve to further alienate the community from the process.
"There is a growing sentiment among the general community that the NSW Government is going too far and the Premier would do well to listen to these concerns," said TEC Director Jeff Angel.
"Since the introduction of Part 3A into the EP&A Act, the balance has shifted from an Act that guarantees public participation and environmental assessment to one that hands developers more exemptions and less accountability.
"The planned reforms will only see an increase in the number of loopholes developers can jump through to avoid scrutiny. They also open the door for unhealthy relationships to form between developers and private certifiers.
"What is required is an EP&A Act with strong principles of ecologically sustainable development, contains genuine environmental assessment provisions and reinstates genuine public participation."
Contact: Jeff Angel or Leigh Martin on 92613437
TOTAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE INC.
LEVEL 4, 78 LIVERPOOL STREET, SYDNEY, NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9261 3437 Fax 02 9261 3990
www.tec.org.au
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