28 April 2008
Strathfield Council will today join local councils across the state in calling for a Parliamentary Inquiry into the NSW State Government’s pro-Developer Laws.
Mayor of Strathfield Paul Barron said the State Government’s draft planning changes will have serious implications for the Strathfield community.
“The State’s pro-developer laws are taking control away from local communities, which is why we’re calling for a freeze on the implementation of the changes as well as a Parliamentary Inquiry,” Cr Barron said.
“These laws will not only add more layers of red tape and cost ratepayer’s millions of dollars to implement, but they will also impact on councils’ ability to provide crucial services.
“Our Municipality’s local residents have voiced their concerns that these reforms will mean that private companies will have the power to approve residential development applications.
“Our community will do everything in its power to fight these laws to ensure that the first time they know that their neighbour is undertaking a major renovation is not when the bulldozer arrives next door.
“The people of Strathfield deserve the right to have a say over local developments and these laws are stripping away those rights.
“I won’t stand by and let the rights of the people of Strathfield end up in the hands of private developers.”
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