Total Environment Centre Director Jeff Angel speaks out at how “The developer lobby’s response to the policy has been, quite typically, a hysterical overreaction confected to protect the industry’s mega profits at the expense of communities and environment."    

He emphasises to "Look at the mess that developers have made of Sydney so far. If the government were to follow the developer lobby’s prescriptions, we’d end up with half the trees, twice the heat and double the heating and cooling costs."

Nature Conservation Council Acting Chief Executive Jacqui Mumford said: “The government could go further to help communities meet the challenges of the 21st century, including a hotter climate, but the draft policy is a vast improvement on current arrangements.  

The developer lobby’s vision for Sydney housing is cheap, fast and profitable. The people have a very different vision. They want Sydney to be a place that is beautiful, safe and livable.  

It appears the government’s vision, expressed through this policy, supports what the people want more than what the developers are demanding. That’s a breath of fresh air. 

The Design and Place SEPP is a significant opportunity for the NSW Government to continue to show leadership, as it has in other sectors, to work rapidly toward net zero emissions and a green economy.”    

The two groups said the Premier and Planning Minister must stand up to the developer lobby and defend the people’s interests.    

“We'll be making sure local, state and national NGOs and communities know what's at stake,” Ms Mumford concluded.

Photo by Pat Whelen on Unsplash