CONSERVATIONISTS SLAM STATE GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN LAKE MACQUARIE COUNCIL LEP

Wednesday, 10 December 2003 10:00

Conservationists have condemned interference by the NSW Government aimed at eroding environmental protection measures in the draft Lake Macquarie Local Environment Plan (LMLEP) 2003.

Total Environment Centre (TEC) Director Mr Jeff Angel said "This heavy handed approach by the State Government will serious compromise environmental protection measures included in the draft Lake Macquarie LEP".

The draft LMLEP has been with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) since November last year awaiting gazettal. Following lobbying from prospective developers and other vested interests the Government last week gave Lake Macquarie Council a verbal warning that unless environmental conservation zonings were removed from twenty properties, and replaced with zonings permitting more intense development, that the plan would not be gazetted.

"Such inappropriate interference by the State Government will do nothing to encourage other Councils to review outdated LEPs and introduce more environmentally responsible planning instruments. It sends a clear message to developers, however, that the Government is prepared to override environmental protection instruments for vested interests", Mr Angel said.

Several of the properties concerned are owned by the State Government sparking concerns that the government is seeking to maximise the value of the land as a prelude to sale.
"The Government has sought to maximise the development potential of several parcels of its own land in Lake Macquarie. This can only be a sign that they are planning to sell this land to developers", Mr Angel said.

The Centre will also be investigating a complaint to the Ombudsman.
 

For further information

Contact
:
Jeff Angel - Director
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5599
Email
:
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:
http://www.tec.org.au/