“An independent umpire should manage major projects

Media release Published: 04 Apr 2011

An independent and depoliticised process should be used to ensure major investment that creates jobs and housing is efficiently progressed through the planning system, according to the Property Council of Australia.

“It is critical that NSW is able to attract investment, jobs and housing,” NSW Executive Director Glenn Byres said today.

“Commercial, residential and retail projects are essential to the growth of the state’s economy – and should be treated the same as other major projects.

“If the Government wants to remove concerns about ministerial discretion then they should hand the process over to an independent umpire.

“The Government has committed itself to referring about half of existing applications in the system to the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC).

“The PAC’s role should be extended right across the system to ensure all major projects are placed in the hands of an independent umpire.

“It can play two roles.

“The PAC should act as a gatekeeper on the system and decide which projects deserve major project status.

“As the independent experts, the PAC can then approve or reject projects.

“An independent umpire represents a balanced and efficient process that also gives the community confidence in the merit of decisions.

“All reforms to the planning system should be done in a seamless and simple way.” “

(emphasis added) source
http://www.propertyoz.com.au/nsw/Article/Resource.aspx?p=21&media=1812

Liberal Party Contract with New South Wales

The Contract contains a 5 Point Action Plan, which speficially includes:

4. Restore accountability

* We will give people a real say on issues affecting their local community

…

5 Protect our local environment

* We will return planning powers to the community

* We will Scrap Part 3A and rewrite the Planning Act to give communities a say again in the shape of their neighbourhoods.

…

signed
Barry O’Farrell

(emphasis in original)

See the contract at:

http://contractwithnsw.com.au/

Also, in a pre-election letter from Barry O’Farrell (ref 013 17097k/13616), which asks me to vote for local Liberal Lee Evans, Mr O’Farrell refers to the Contract with New South Wales stating that the contract will:

…

* Return planning powers to the community.

…

You probably got the same or similar letter, depending on which electorate you live in. With the Property Council already making moves to ensure that developers interests will get full attention by the new government, we may need to ensure that Premier O’Farrell delivers on his contract with us as members of the community.

Days of Planning Minister’s sweeping powers are over

Matthew Moore and Sean Nicholls
Sydney Morning Herald
April 5, 2011

THE first cabinet meeting of the new O’Farrell government resolved to scrap the controversial part 3A provisions of the planning act but did not decide what would replace it and how existing applications would be handled.

“From today, no new part 3A applications for private residential, commercial, retail or coastal development will be accepted,” Mr O’Farrell announced.

full story
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/days-of-planning-ministers-sweeping-powers-are-over-20110404-1cymn.html

Greg Pearce takes on Illawarra portfolio
BY BEN LANGFORD
04 Apr, 2011 Illawarra Mercury

The new Minister for the Illawarra has vowed not to play party political games with the area, despite taking his place in a Coalition government and having the task of advocating for an area represented by three Labor MPs.

Greg Pearce was yesterday sworn in to NSW’s new O’Farrell Cabinet as Finance Minister and Minister for the Illawarra. He guaranteed he would not neglect the region because the three seats around Wollongong were still held by Labor.

…

Mr Pearce quickly moved to counter suggestions the Government might break its promise to hold local council elections in September in Wollongong and Shellharbour after Local Government Minister Chris Hartcher last week said that was just “a target”.

Mr Pearce said he would be speaking to Mr Hartcher about this immediately and the sacked councils would be re-elected on September 3.

“It’s an iron-cast guarantee,” he said.

‘‘Barry O’Farrell’s absolutely committed to it.

….

(emphasis added – reformwcc)

Full story:
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/greg-pearce-takes-on-illawarra-portfolio/2122390.aspx

Wollongong awaits next big ballot day out
BY SHANNON TONKIN
Illawarra Mercury
02 Apr, 2011

Wollongong residents could be forgiven for not wishing to hear the words “election” or “candidate” for some time, after months of relentless campaigning ahead of last Saturday’s state election.

But the wide anticipation of a Coalition win has switched the attention of political watchers to the city’s next big visit to the ballot box – Wollongong City Council elections.

# VOTE: Tell us who you want to see as Wollongong’s next mayor

There was some uncertainty this week if the elections would proceed as planned – the likely new local government minister Chris Hartcher would only describe September as a “target date”.

But speculation over potential lord mayoral candidates is already mounting.

Several failed state election candidates are expected to throw their hats into the ring.

Vote link and full story:
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/wollongong-awaits-next-big-ballot-day-out/2121745.aspx