Save Bronte ... After attending Monday nights meeting of residents I thought I would provide some details and comments about the issues involved. The proposal, even after the minor tweeks recommended by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC), is still 50% higher than permitted under the Waverley LEP and double the permissible floor space. The so-called limitation on the size of the shops ( 500 sq mtrs) is 25% greater than even the pro-development Liberal majority on Waverley Council agreed to, and over 6 times the 80 sq. mtrs. prescribed in the Waverley LEP for neighbourhood shops. The meeting after the rally was addressed a number of speakers who outlined where the matter was up to, work to date and the need to yet again put in detailed objections by the 5th of November. All details can be found on the savebrontevillage web site. I pointed out to the meeting that the capacity to stop this proposal, to ‘close the gateway’ so to speak, lies squarely with the Minister for Planning, Pru Goward. Under the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, s56 (7) the Minister has the power to stop this process: (7) The Minister may, at any time, alter a determination made under this section The Liberal Government’s ‘Gateway” procedure has resulted in over 85% of all planning matters referred to the PAC, proceeding. All evidence suggests that the ‘Gateway procedure’ is a ‘gateway’ to developer’s heaven! The Labor spokesperson for Planning, Hon Luke Foley MLC has confirmed to me: “If I become Minister of Planning in a Labor State Government after the March election I will hand the matter of the Bronte RSL DA back to the council for a decision in the knowledge that the applicant has a right of appeal to the Land and Environment Court like any other applicant. This is the appropriate course of action. This is not a state significant development under any definition of the term. It is a very ordinary oversized block of flats and retail space in a suburban area. Why did this even get referred to the PAC in the first place? Stephen, Keri and the rest of the SaveBronteVillage team are to be congratulated for their dedication and persistence in confronting this unacceptable development proposal.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:35:01 +0000
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