Community groups from across NSW present Better Planning petition

Community groups representing thousands of residents today presented Greens MP Jamie Parker with a 3,000-strong petition, highlighting concerns with the government’s proposed changes to planning laws.

The petition calls for the O’Farrell government to abandon its developer driven planning regime and put local communities and the environment at the heart of the planning system.

Greens Member for Balmain Jamie Parker said:

“We Greens took a strong stand against the previous Labor government's moves to strip local councils and local communities of any planning decisions. It seems this current Liberal government’s proposed changes may be even worse.

“The strength of this petition and the level of concern across NSW should be a sure sign to Barry O’Farrell that the people of NSW want a change in direction that puts planning back in the hands of the community.

“NSW Labor created the planning system nightmare in NSW, Barry O’Farrell promised to end it. This is one promise the Premier needs to keep,” Mr Parker said.

Greens MP and Planning spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“Ongoing ICAC investigations show us the depths to which any government can sink when it drafts its planning laws to benefit property developers.

“Rather than learn from Labor’s mistakes, at this stage it appears Barry O’Farrell is taking the Liberal/National Coalition down exactly the same path,” Mr Shoebridge said.

Media contact: Alison Martin – 0432 941 533

Photos of the event (please attribute): http://www.flickr.com/photos/80228770@N04/sets/72157633104181601/

The Better Planning Network represents over 300 community groups; affiliates attending today included: Friends of Turramurra, Our Land Our Water Our Future, Annandale N and S Precincts, No Lewisham Towers, Kogarah Residents' Association Inc., EcoNetwork (located in Port Stephens), North Cronulla & Woolooware Precinct Committee, REDWatch (located in Inner city area), Pyrmont Action, Friends of Ku-Ring-Gai Environment, ParraCAN, Granville Historical Society, Lane Cove North Residents Association, Central &Nth Miranda Precinct Residents Association, Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society, Epping Civic Trust, South Paddington Community Group, Stringybark Creek Residents Association (located in Lane Cove), Pittwater Natural Heritage Association , The Glebe Society, Ryde Community Alliance, Community Voice Hornsby, Willoughby Environmental Protection Association.

March 28, 2013 at 12pm

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FERRIES AT ANNANDALE AND WEST BALMAIN

Imagine hopping on a ferry at Annandale or West Balmain and being in the heart of the city within minutes.

In 2020, we won the campaign for a Glebe ferry. Now, we have the opportunity to connect more of our area to the ferry network. New ferries at Annandale and West Balmain will provide a faster, smarter route into the city without adding to the traffic on our roads.

Both Labor and the Liberals want to build more polluting and destructive tollways across Sydney. But we have costed a comprehensive plan for a world-class public transport system that makes getting around our city fast and easy.

Dear Transport Minister,

New inner west ferry services would provide efficient, fast and environmentally sound travel to and from the area for workers, tourists, students, pensioners and the general public.

I therefore ask that the Government build on the success of the Blackwattle Bay ferry and establish a ferry service at Rozelle Bay for the Annandale area and reinstate the ferry at West Balmain.

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