NSW GOVERNMENT COASTAL REPORT POINTS TO COUNCIL FAILURES

Friday, 16 March 2001 10:00

The Council's recently released 2000 Annual Report condemns local councils for disregarding the State's Coastal Policy and carrying out business behind closed doors when assessing applications from developers.*

"The report points to a key problem encountered by community groups and residents on the ground who are fighting to have some say in the direction in which their local towns or villages are taken," said Total Environment Centre natural areas campaigner Fran Kelly.
"In addition those who call for sensible planning and development decisions that reflect the natural environment's capability and suitability, as well as the long term sustainability of an area, are being brushed aside for developers' interests." said Ms Kelly

"Councils such as Shoalhaven and Tweed give rise to the biggest number of complaints with decisions made behind closed doors, community views ignored and development pursued at all cost no matter how damaging it may be or where it may be located," said Ms Kelly

"But there are others that don't come far behind. Hastings, Ballina, Nambucca Heads, Kempsey, Great Lakes, Port Stevens, Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Eurobodalla are some of the many councils with which residents are becoming increasingly frustrated."

"It's about time the NSW Government took over the controls when it comes to sustainable planning and development decisions along the NSW coast. Until they gain the backbone to do so, ad hoc, damaging and totally unsuitable developments will continue to destroy the coastal landscape." said Ms Kelly

*" The Coastal Council is regularly being made aware of particular councils, up and down the coast, who would appear to regard the Policy as irrelevant when assessing DA's. We are aware of one council which has delegated determination of DA's ....to staff. This has the potential for by-passing debate at a council meeting excluding not only the community but elected representatives; there have also been occasions when local councils have not referred DAs to adjoining landowners or consulted with appropriate agencies..." - Coastal Council of NSW Annual Report 1999-2000 (p27)