Since my January column, our community has further digested the Minns Labor Government’s sweeping changes to planning controls.
I thank everyone who has provided feedback to me about how these changes will affect you and our community. It is clear that these changes will disempower our local communities, and adversely and irreversibly impact upon the character and amenity of our area.
The government has proposed to override local planning controls to impose higher density development, with little to no consideration for local infrastructure capacity, existing development, the environment or heritage conservation.
Whilst the need for an ambitious approach to lifting housing supply is understood and supported, development and density must be done right and in partnership with community. Development must be well located, well planned, and supported with sufficient infrastructure and services.
We know that a one-size-fits-all approach that overrides the views of local communities and without regard for infrastructure isn’t the right way to address the national housing crisis. It’s lazy and ill-thought-through policy that shows the Government isn’t interested in putting in the hard work to deliver on their housing targets. A centralised approach with plans designed by distant bureaucrats disconnected from local communities is no way to do planning well.
Proposals for more housing must be delivered alongside a plan for better infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and open space. The government has so far failed to outline any plan to build the local infrastructure required to support this density growth.
The Opposition is ready and willing to work with the Government, having presented policy options including incentivising local councils to meet and exceed their housing targets, encouraging downsizers to unlock more suitable properties and addressing immigration and population growth to take the pressure off rents and house prices.
I encourage you to sign my community petition at timjamesmp.com.au/planning petition to send a message to the Premier and NSW Government to rethink this proposal before irreparable damage is done to our community.
I will continue to stand up in Parliament and directly to the Premier and Minister for Planning and firmly advocate to protect our community.
