Government urged to replace Hastings Council's "Kindergarten-standard" development plans

Monday, 01 March 2004 10:00

A peak environment group has asked the NSW Government to intervene in a planning and development process being promoted by Hastings Council for an area between Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills.

Describing Hastings Council's approach to planning and development in the Hastings Urban Growth Strategy's Area 14 as "kindergarten stuff", Total Environment Centre (TEC) coastal campaigner Fran Kelly said: "the proposed combination of urban sprawl and huge concrete estates dressed up as retiree havens makes you wonder whether the Council understands the term 'planning'."

"There seems to be a standard followed by the council along the lines of spotting a bit of undeveloped land, drawing a circle around it and then attracting the most appalling proposals to fill it in." said Ms Kelly. "No wonder some of the most money-hungry developers around are being attracted to the Shire like vultures to a carcass."

"The HUGS plan is an example of an appalling exercise in substandard planning. If adopted it would lead to the further degradation of an already pressured natural coastline - foreshores, rainforest, lakes and creeks included. Lake Cathie's health problems should be a reminder that more of the same is unacceptable," said Ms Kelly.

"To the north of the HUGS area around Port Macquarie developers are awaiting the nod for their huge theme parks, estates and marinas. To the south the situation isn't much better. It is essential the Government intervenes."

"Planning that places the environment, landscape and residential amenity first should replace Hastings Council's approach based on developers' demands. The only way that is achievable under the current council is by experts at the head office of the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources directing the process," said Ms Kelly

Ms Kelly said that if the Shire was to become sustainable it was also crucial that residents changed the elected Council by choosing candidates that stood for the environment and residential amenity ahead of those who placed developers first, at the forthcoming elections.
For further information contact Fran Kelly or Jeff Angel on 9299 5599/5680
 

For further information

Contact
:
Fran Kelly
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5599
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:
http://www.tec.org.au/