Local planning decisions made by local councils, often with community support or atleast involvement in the decision making process, are being over-ridden by state government.
Over many years the NSW govt under Labor began to take planning decisions away from local councils and residents. Through mechanisms such as the infamous Part 3A an increasing number of developments were pushed through despite commuinty concerns and council rejections based on local planning laws and strategies.
The Liberal govt swept into power 3 years ago, on a promise to reforming government in nSW and returning planning back to the people. To their credit they did indeed immediately remove Part 3A legislation. Communities across the state were finally going to get a propersay in the major local planning decisions that would affect their quality of life.
Or so it seemed. Unfortunately the measures proved to be token and were undermined by other legislation introduced that allowed similar state level intervention in local planning decisions.
3 years on and with an election looming the people of NSW need to send a strong message to both major parties that we want them to respect our democratic right to have our say in the decisions that will directly affect our community's way of life.