Ministerial intervention?

20 June 2011

Warringah Council

Warringah Council has stopped work on their Housing Strategy until the Government commits to the provision of the additional infrastructure needed to support the increase in population. This decision was confirmed at an extraordinary council meeting on 7 June 2011. The NSW Government set a target for 10,300 new dwellings to be accommodated in the area by 2031. Current zoning laws supposedly allow for 5,325 new dwellings. The Council resolution can be accessed from here.

 

Local media reports that Planning Minister Brad Hazzard warned Warringah Mayor Michael Regan that he cant cop out of taking on more housing as Sydneys population continues to grow.

 

At a public meeting about a proposed growth area in Narraweena, Mr Hazzard said every local council in Sydney had to take on the burden. He said Warringah – in his electorate of Wakehurst – was no exception.

 

Let me make this very clear, our area must grow Mr Mayor, and yes theres an obligation for the state government, after 16 years of doing nothing, to try and find the money to build what [infrastructure] we can but you cannot use that as a reason not to look at the evolution of the area, he said.

 

The area is still going to grow and I make it very clear to council and to you tonight that you cant just sit around and wait.

 

Michael, Im saying again, dont think that your council can cop out – your council must listen to the community and understand that we want evolution.

 

A local media report is here.

 

Leichhardt

Mr Hazzard has been forced to intervene in the development assessment process relating to an application for a police station in Leichhardt. The Council and the local community oppose the proposal to redevelop a 4350-square metre site owned by the RTA for a new three storey police station. The application was to be determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).

 

However, the applicant had the matter referred to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure for determination as the JRPP had not determined the application within the allotted 70 days.

 

The Minister has delegated his functions to the JRPP, but directed the JRPP to hold a public hearing, to receive submissions and then convene a further meeting to make the determination. The JRPP reports and letters from the Minister to the chair of the JRPP are accessible from here.