Dr Deborah Dearing

Prof Rod Simpson

The Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) is now responsible for metropolitan planning, determining regionally significant development applications and rezoning proposals that will override existing Local Environment Plans  info about the Greater Sydney Commission.

Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Ryde, Willoughby, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Mosman and Hornsby comprise the ‘Northern District’. Draft District Plans will be released for comment in November.

Given the powers of the Commission and the intense pressure for development, the community needs a voice. Hunters Hill Trust joined representatives of more than 30 Northern District community organisations at a recent meeting in Lane Cove.  Prof Rod Simpson, the Environment Commissioner and Dr Deborah Dearing, Commissioner for the Northern Region answered questions re:

• The power of the Sydney Planning Panels
• The fate of existing Local Environment Plans
• The disconnect between GSC’s stated intentions and rampant development of recent years
• Environmental outcomes for the Northern District.

letter to the Chief Commissioner, Lucy Hughes Turnbull, AO.  More info:  sue.ingham@webtide.com.au

Cabinet has approved the appointment of

• Lucy Turnbull as Chief Commissioner
• Heather Nesbitt as Social Commissioner
• Rod Simpson as Environment Commissioner
• Geoff Roberts as Economic Commissioner.

6 District Commissioners nominated by Councils will be appointed for each of Sydney’s six planning districts.  Find out more online.

Hunters Hill is part of the North Subregion:  Priorities for North Subregion

The Labor Party has joined with the NSW Government, Christian Democrats and Shooters and Fishers Party to pass the Greater Sydney Commission bill. The Greens NSW strongly opposed it.

Community input into planning decisions has been rejected.  Decisions of the new Commission will be binding on local government.  Local Environment Plans will have to be amended in line with whatever the Commission decides.

Dr Mehreen Faruqi, Greens MP “highlighted the undemocratic and top down nature of the Greater Sydney Commission:

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