28 February 2014
The expressions of outrage by the Greens and the Nature Conservation Council that the NSW Government could implement their planning reforms through existing legislation is a premature response to statements about keeping the reform process going, says the Urban Taskforce.
“While the Minister for Planning has stated that reforms will continue under existing legislation this is nothing new,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “The government has been continuing to expand the exempt & complying code and continuing with the process of planning the state in parallel with the proposals for a new act.”
“It looks as though the alternative groups against planning reform want the state to grind to a halt out of respect for their concerns. The reality is that our population is growing fast and new homes are required now to meet community demand. While nature and green issues are important the planning system must respond to the human needs of habitation. Our population keeps growing as more babies are born and immigration continues and this is why we need a twenty first century planning system.”
“The delays to planning reform supported by the Greens will ultimately reduce the affordability of housing for average families through limiting much needed supply of new houses and apartments.”
“We elect governments to govern and the State Government needs to drive reforms to the planning system either through a new Planning Act or if this is frustrated by opposition politicians then through the existing legislation.”
