COASTAL PACKAGE WELCOMED

Wednesday, 27 June 2001 10:00

 The development pressures on the coast are enormous and more than 60 groups have been campaigning to bring the pressures under control.

"Over the last 15 months there has been a tidal wave of damaging and speculative development schemes, often embraced by developer controlled councils. The outrage from local communities and the evidence of severe environmental threats has been rapidly growing. The Carr Government is right to act," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

"Councils such as Tweed, which are embracing a Gold Coast philosophy; Shaolhaven which seeks to avoid public scrutiny; Newcastle which is privatising the foreshore for high rise and others such as Ballina, Port Stephens and Great Lakes are facing a development binge. There has to be a breathing space to review such activities and today's announcement creates that."

"The new state environmental planning policy will establish an urgent review process and better environmental planning principles for the future; the coastal assessment will find out what has to be protected and the additional policies will help protect water quality, bushland, wetlands, fishing resources and beaches," Mr Angel said.

"We intend helping local groups to participate in the new processes and vigorously oppose attempts by developers and their local government allies to water down the package."