Right  now, the NSW government is proposing to introduce new planning laws that will stop ordinary people going to court to uphold the law and challenge approvals for large  scale development.  These new laws would place mining and gas companies above the law by preventing essential court oversight of planning decisions.

Phone Premier O’Farrell today on (02) 9228 5239.  It is SO easy to leave a message with one of his office staff. Some simple points you could make include: (more…)

Hunters Hill resident Gary Johnston has been fined $40,000 under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for cutting down 4 protected Hoop Pines.  The trees were 40 years old and between 20 and 22 meters tall.  Each had a canopy spread of between 7 and 9 meters.

Hoop Pines that were removed

The trees were protected throughout construction of the Defendant’s two storey house which has been built over 3 levels and includes a basement car park for 9 vehicles, swimming pool and spa.  A wonderfully  intact  Arts and Crafts building was demolished to make way for this new building.  (more…)

Good news for the EDO.   Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC announced yesterday that  EDO will receive an additional $300,000 a year in Commonwealth support, compared with around $100,000 a year previously.  Funding is assured for 4 years.

NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption warns of the potential for unscrupulous development under NSW’s new planning system:

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/planning-reforms-target-for-corruption-icac-20130701-2p7l6.html#ixzz2Xwj7kEKN.

The White Paper is unsupportable because:

• It lacks any vision about creating wonderful places
• It takes away the rights of individuals to object to developments 
• It is indifferent to heritage and conservation
• It pays no heed to the idea of creating a truly sustainable society
• It gives priority to the interests of property developers’ plans.

HHT’s full response to the White Paper written by Vice President Tony Coote:  HUNTERS HILL TRUST WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION JUNE 26 2013 

Get an overview of the issues raised at Hunters Hill Public Meeting 6th June from this 15 minute video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdf8G8a3emo

Anthony Roberts’ position:

Local MP for Lane Cove and NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Anthony Roberts stated at the meeting that he was concerned that:

1. Code-assessable development would have negative impacts on heritage; and
2. The use of private certifiers in general, and in particular with regard to complying
   development that could have an impact on heritage.

Contact Anthony Roberts directly to get confirmation of his position on these issues and formally request that he represent these views when Cabinet discusses the Planning Bill:   lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au,  9817 4757, Level 3 Suite 302 230 Victoria Road GLADESVILLE NSW 2111.

Issues at Stake: 

The White Paper applies to the whole state, it has much wider implications than just for our local area and is potentially much more destructive of all those things that The Hunters Hill Trust, The Paddington Society, the Glebe Society and all those other community groups were formed to fight for over 4 decades ago. 

It is easy for the state government to say they are preserving “heritage” because that only applies to a limited number of listed items.  Many non-listed items are also vital to the character of the area.

The major issues are explained here:  Better Planning Network’s White Paper Submission Guide.

The Independent Local Government Review Panel has released its Future Directions for NSW Local Government paper.  Read all about it:

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/super-councils-touted-for-sydney-20130424-2ie9j.html

Download the ‘progress’ report:  http://www.localgovernmentreview.nsw.gov.au/documents/LGR/Future%20Directions%20Paper.pdf

This is stage 3 of the process with a final report due in July.

Hunters Hill is recommended to be merged with Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby as a North Shore Group.

Councils will be encouraged to consolidate through financial and other incentives – the panel has not called for forced amalgamations.