THE CITY of Canada Bay has raised serious concerns over sweeping new NSW Government planning rules that will remove the requirement for neighbours to be notified or given the opportunity to provide feedback on a range of Development Applications.
The NSW Government’s new Statewide Community Participation Plan took effect from September 1, replacing the individual community participation plans of councils across NSW.
City of Canada Bay Mayor Michael Megna said the changes represented a fundamental shift in how much say residents have over development in their own neighbourhoods.
“This is another significant step away from local communities having a meaningful say in how their own neighbourhoods change,” Mayor Megna said.
“People are increasingly being asked to accept decisions about the future of their streets and suburbs without the chance to have their voice heard.”
“This change goes directly to something very basic – if a significant development is proposed next door to you, you should know about it and you should have an opportunity to have your say.”
Under the new rules, a range of Development Applications (DA) will no longer require public exhibition, including demolition, dual occupancies of up to two storeys, attached dwellings and multi-dwelling housing of up to five dwellings, dwelling houses of up to two storeys, secondary dwellings, some alterations and additions and tree removal on private land.
“From today, your neighbour could lodge a DA to demolish their home and replace it with three terraces and, provided it falls within the State Government’s criteria, you will no longer have a right to be formally notified or given the opportunity to make a submission,” Mayor Megna said.
“That is a seismic change to the way our neighbourhoods are planned and developed.”
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