Use the tape now to keep the pressure on politicians and/or get ready for the introduction of the Planning Bills to Parliament!  Cost: $30 per roll (or less for part of a roll).  Order through Frances Vissel at vissel@bigpond.net.au

Minister Hazzard has announced that the introduction of the Planning Bills to Parliament has been delayed until 15 October 2013  to address public concerns about the legislation:  http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/planning-backflip-new-laws-in-doubt-20130918-2tz9n.html .

No number of amendments can make this bad legislation into the sound, balanced and visionary planning system NSW needs – now and in the years to come.

The Government needs to go back to the drawing board and work with all key stakeholders to re-write the legislation, using as a basis the Moore and Dyer Report and the thousands of submissions made on the Green and White Papers.

It seems that the Government does not have the numbers to get its legislation through the Upper House but this could easily change.  Make your voice heard loud and clear by writing to the Sydney Morning Herald at letters@smh.com.au.  For further information from Better Planning Network:  Amendments won’t fix the Bills- September 2013

The Better Planning Network has reviewed more than 3,000 submissions that were made to the NSW Government’s White Paper and Draft Exposure Planning Bills 2013.  Read more: 

Independent review of community concerns

BPN is supported by Hunters Hill Trust, Paddington Society, Glebe Society and NSW Conservation Society

The NSW Government intends to introduce its planning legislation to Parliament in 2 weeks time.  

We need to get the government to WITHDRAW ITS PLANNING BILLS AND START AGAIN because these Bills are fundamentally flawed and dangerous.

• Hazzardous to community wellbeing
• Hazzardous to our democracy
• Hazzardous to honest government
• Hazzardous to our environment
• Hazzardous to our heritage. 

Display your own HAZZARD tape:  75mm x 100m length rolls $30 per roll.  Order some through Frances Vissel at vissel@bigpond.net.au

Contact Premier O’Farrell:  (02) 9228 5239 or email:  Office@premier.nsw.gov.au

‘It always seems impossible until it’s done’– Nelson Mandela

Sign the petition HERE to insist that the NSW government withdraws the dangerous planning bills that it plans to present to Parliament in September.

Phone a radio station:

2GB ph: 131 873                    2UE ph:131 332                                 ABC 702: 1300 222 702

Alan Jones – 5-9am              Ian Dickson – 5.30-8.30am                James Valentine 1-3 pm

Ray Hadley – 9am-12            Paul Murray – 8.30-11.30am              Richard Glover 3-6 pm

Chris Smith – 12-3pm           Jason Morrison – 3-6pm

Ben Fordham – 3-6pm          Murray Wilton – 8-12am                    2DayFM:131 060

Steve Price – 8pm-12                                                                        Kyle & Jackie O: 5.30-9am

‘It always seems impossible until it’s done’– Nelson Mandela

Sam Haddad

Even Sam Haddad, Director-General of NSW Planning and Infrastructure agrees that there are serious flaws in the bill , but the NSW government still plans to introduce the planning bill in September. 

The bill needs to be WITHDRAWN as it is fundamentally flawed and dangerous.   Contact Premier O’Farrell:  (02) 9228 5239 or email:  Office@premier.nsw.gov.au. 

Better Planning Network is effectively raising the issues.  For more detail:  http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/top-official-admits-errors-over-draft-planning-laws-20130812-2rsht.html

Corruption in NSW has a long history and, as evidenced by the current ICAC investigation into the City of Ryde Council, is ongoing and cuts across party lines. 

What if we want to see a cleaner and more transparent politics in NSW?   The answer from the O’ Farrell Government is clearly “No” when one considers the proposed changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act that are set out in their White Paper, “A New Planning System for NSW”.

The White Paper represents a calculated move away from cleanliness and transparency.    (more…)