I am unhappy about the lack of progress towards our new LEP (Local Environment Plan), Council’s key planning policy.
The LEP determines the kinds of and places we permit all kinds of development. It sets zonings, permitted uses and much more.
Our current LEP dates to 2012 and is no longer fit for purpose.Among the things I want to see in the new LEP, for example, are Detached Dual Occupancies.
The way this has dragged on has become embarassing. The need for a new LEP was first flagged to Councillors in October 2018, when we were presented with the attached road map aspiring to complete the process by June 2021.
Council duly completed a draft LEP and forwarded it to the NSW Government’s “Gateway” process in November 2021, following six Councillor workshops, extensive consultation with State authorities, and a LEP/DCP Reference Group (industry professionals) convened for that purpose.
Then, in January 2022 at the very first meeting of the new term, a Rescission motion pulled that back. I likened it at the time to trying to pull a launched ocean liner back up on to its blocks in the dock.
This rescission motion was supported by Councillors McMahon/Richards, Veigel, Reardon, Sheather and Dogramaci, and was carried on the casting vote of then-Mayor Conolly.
This was frustrating! Why did they vote for delay? No one really knows. The reference group who helped draft it subsequently told us they didn’t know why either. They were happy with it the way it was.
Other people had different theories involving keeping a weak LEP around longer.
What has followed is over three years of delay, endless tinkering and disappointment.
People have cited to me conflicting information about where the delay currently sits: With Council, or with the State Gateway process? Whose court is the ball in now?
I placed this question on notice and the attached answer is minuted in the upcoming Council meeting due to be held next Tuesday, April 8th.
This advice I have received is at variance from correspondence from the Department of Planning, who have said the delay is with Council!
Members of the public are welcome to register as speakers on this item (13.1.1) if they feel so motivated.
