“Representatives of the Minister offered me a briefing on the TOD SEPP “in lieu of” moving a call for papers in the Legislative Council on the rationale behind the Government’s selection of eight TOD accelerated precincts and the 31 TOD precincts. This is all in writing.”
“I proceeded to move a successful call for papers in Parliament, which evidently got under the Government’s skin, as communities across New South Wales want to ensure that the locations “have the capacity to support additional growth” as the Government has claimed.
“The only information that the Minns Labor Government has provided to the public on one of the largest rezonings in Australia’s history is a 12-page glossy document. This rezoning is due to come into place on 1 April with no opportunity for proper community consultation.”
“When it comes to council’s role in refusing developments in their area, the Minister, like Chris Minns, is wrong again.”
“Firstly, the questions to Chris Minns this morning related to the Government’s changes to create low and mid-rise housing, not even the TOD SEPP, so the Minister can’t even get his own policies right.”
“The Government’s Explanation of Intended Effect: Changes to create low-and mid-rise housing makes it clear that the Government will set “non-refusal standards”, which will “overrule LEP or DCP provisions”.
“This will mean that Councils will have no choice but to approve relevant residential flat buildings, manor houses, terraces and duplexes in areas where the Minns Labor Government makes them permissible, on the grounds of maximum building height, floor space ratio, minimum site area, minimum lot width, minimum car parking, tree canopy, deep soil and tree planting rates.”
“It’s no wonder that Chris Minns and Minister for Planning have Labor Mayors from Burwood to the Blue Mountains up in arms and Labor backbenchers starting to revolt against Government’s plans.”
“Rather than telling communities to “get out of the way” it’s time that the Government listened to what the Opposition has said from the beginning and work with local communities to set housing targets, allow communities to formulate their local controls, and if they refuse to do so that’s the appropriate time to impose local planning controls – not at the beginning.”