Ku-ring-gai Council has written to State Coalition leader Barry O’Farrell and other political leaders seeking swift action on a range of planning and development issues following the March 26 election.

 

Mayor Ian Cross said the letter requested; the winding up of the Ku-ring-gai Planning Panel; the scrapping of the Part 3A State Significant development approval provisions; and greater flexibility for the Section 94 development contributions scheme.

 

“Our top priority is the winding up of the Ku-ring-gai Planning Panel which now has little or no work to do with a further three meetings cancelled this year,” Cr Cross said.

 

“This Panel should never have been appointed in the first place and its removal is long-overdue considering the Ku-ring-gai Town Centres Plan is completed and council is processing development applications in an efficient and timely manner. 

 

According to Cr Cross, the council also wants an “end to the odious Part 3A State significant provisions”, which give the planning minister “unfettered power to override” planning controls.  

 

“Other key issues we would like considered include ensuring we get the necessary infrastructure to cater for population growth and changes to the new Affordable Housing policy and tightening the role of private certifiers,” he said.

 

Cr Cross said he consulted with a number of fellow councillors and senior staff to put together a list of issues for Mr O’Farrell, to consider in the event of him becoming Premier.

 

“We believe this will be a useful guide for you, as for any new Premier there is always a multitude of urgent issues to address, and it helps to have a clear understanding of the views of key stakeholders such as local councils,” he said.

 

“Councillors at Ku-ring-gai believe that changes to the planning system should be a top priority – and this list will hopefully be a starting point for continuing consultation with your new Government if you are successful at the election.”