Metro Strategy - implementation the acid test

Sunday, 04 December 2005 10:00

"Its release has been long awaited and now we can move to the next crucial stage of implementing policies to make Sydney more liveable; reduce its damaging environmental footprint; have jobs close to where people live and public transport; and expand protected green spaces," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.  
  

"The big gap is an infrastructure plan, with for example expanded public transport beyond current inadequate promises.  The acid test is now on Infrastructure Minister Costa, who if he performs badly will make a mess of the Strategy and cause great political damage to the Government."

"We see the main pluses of the plan as:

* A clear picture of the environmental problems with facts and figures that will operate as benchmarks for future progress;
* A range of environmental targets on waste, air pollution and greenhouse, now given force through the planning laws;
* Continued focus on housing in built up areas, to limit the urban sprawl;
* The Macarthur South region and rural lands outside the growth zones are 'off-limits' to prevent speculation for rezoning to urban."

"An ongoing concern is the lack of external and independent monitoring and reporting.  It's all in-house and surely the government cannot expect to get a full and frank picture of impacts and progress from this process.  The public will need more transparency and independent reporting."

"We also await the government's Energy White Paper which will determine the city's greenhouse gas emissions in the future and the biodiversity strategy to protect native vegetation," Mr Angel said.