Government and Opposition hear coastal demands

Tuesday, 16 May 2006 10:00

“Coastal protection is clearly an issue of state significance particularly with the release of draft 25 year strategies that put developers in the drivers seat.  They have upset a lot of people and we want the Premier and Leader of the Opposition to hear about sensible planning that caters for population growth as well as environment protection.”

“The coast can head in the developer direction of urban sprawl, towns stranded from essential services, destruction of native vegetation and pollution of coastal lakes – or take a different path – that delivers clean water, preserves bushland and creates healthy communities.”

“The current draft strategies designate major development over important remnant bushland and allow developers to completely change the plan through big loopholes.  There is no point in having a plan if developers can then obtain a massive spot rezoning that tears the plan to pieces.”

“We intend to keep the spotlight on the coast in the coming months as the strategies are rolled out for the entire coast.  The Lower Hunter will be the first to go to Cabinet.”