Former factory sites in Leichhardt have been rezoned to allow up to 330 apartments in a controversial amendment to the Leichhardt Local Environment Plan this week by the Liberal State government.

Greens MP Jamie Parker has been leading the campaign against the rezoning, alongside Kegworth Public School’s P&C and hundreds of residents, including lobby group Save Our Suburbs Leichhardt.

 Mr Parker said:

“We have serious concerns about the bulk and scale of the development, which is not in keeping with the surrounding streets and will destroy our residential streetscape.

“Independent traffic analysis shows that the surrounding road network is already experiencing significant congestion, with delays likely to increase as a result of this development.

“Residents have been ignored, despite the Liberal government’s promise to reform Labor’s disastrous and corrupt planning system and return planning powers back to the community.

“I congratulate the residents who have worked so hard and forced the Council to undertake a much-needed traffic study.

“A development application will now be lodged with Leichhardt Council and we’re calling on the Council to listen to residents and refuse it.

“I am committed to standing up for residents and for an honest, democratic and sustainable planning system in NSW.

“I am calling on the Premier to ensure that the promise he made to voters that he would return planning powers to local communities is honoured.

“Residents deserve to have a say in planning decision that directly impact on them – it is simply not fair for the Minister to overrule the wishes of the local community,” Mr Parker said.

 Concerns include:

• Bulk and scale of the 8 storey development
•     Traffic and parking impacts – independent report shows impacts on already congested streets

Poor community engagement process – residents deserve to have a say