Community Planning Forum in Parramatta on 7 March, 2013

Better Planning Network and ParraCAN are hosting a Community Planning Forum

Overdevelopment in YOUR street

Have your say !!!

Important forum for all residents of Western Sydney

Before the 2011 election Barry O'Farrell promised to replace the notorious Part 3A planning law. What he didn't tell us was he was going to replace it with something far worse, including:

▪  The proposal to remove the right of residents and communities to comment and appeal against specific developments in their neighbourhood

▪    The proposal to establish ‘enterprise zones’ across entire Local Government Areas with few, if any planning controls

▪   The removal of Ecological Sustainable Development as the overall driver of the NSW Planning System

▪     Downgrading the importance of good building design, open space, parks and urban bushland

▪     The removal of legal protection  for many environmental policies

▪     The omission of any reference to heritage protection

▪     Prioritising fast-track development ahead of community wellbeing.

Public meeting 7.30 PM Thursday 7th March

Parramatta Town Hall, Church St Mall

Speakers:   Corinne Fisher (Better Planning Network)

                    Ron Hoenig (ALP Shadow Minister for Energy and Shadow Minister for Ports)

                    David Shoebridge (Greens MP)

No booking is necessary but RSVP preferred on our Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ParraCAN/135084779898034

Parramatta Climate Action Network is a grassroots not-for-profit organisation acting in the community to raise awareness on climate change and renewable energy solutions.

Better Planning Network Petition

The Better Planning Network have started a petition as they  are concerned about  the NSW Government Green Paper to replace the existing planning laws in NSW with a system that will: 

• Remove the right of communities to have a say in development proposals and planning matters directly affecting their lives 
• Diminish the role of elected Councillors 
• Permit ‘Enterprise Zones’ with no planning controls to be imposed over entire suburbs or Local Government Areas 
• Not protect the environment or the heritage of the State 

The Better Planning Network are requesting the Parliament of NSW to: 
• Urgently establish a multi-party Parliamentary Committee to fairly assess the proposals to amend the planning system and ensure the community’s rights of participation, consultation and appeal are not reduced 
• Ensure that the community consultation period on the Government’s final proposal (White Paper) is at least 6 months long 

To sign the petition go to http://betterplanningnetwork.good.do/nsw/petition-state-parliament/

Meeting Monday 18 February, 2013

Special Guest 

The North Richmond and Community District Action Association (NRDCAA) monthly meeting will be held in the North Richmond Community Centre Monday 18th of February at 7.15 pm.

The NRDCAA has invited Matthew Owens City Planning Director to the meeting and present on the Draft Hawkesbury Community Strategic Plan (DHCSP) 2013-2032.

He has accepted.

We have forwarded some question to Mr Owens so he can be prepared.

According to the message in the DHCSP from Councillor Ford Mayor of HCC, This plan belongs to the people of the Hawkesbury. We encourage you to help us to achieve your vision.

The NRDCAA has over 4000 petitioners calling on the Mayor to oppose rezoning of land west of the river till our current traffic congestion is addressed. To date he has ignored the petitioners.

The NRDCAA doubts very much the sincerity of Councillor Ford’s message. However, it is in the community’s interest to attend, which will enable us to make a positive contribution to the peoples’ plan and make informed decisions in the future.

This is another opportunity to continue our efforts to have the majority Councillors represent the Community’s interest.

NRDCAA is a non political group who want a fair go for all residents and ratepayers.

This meeting is opened to all resident of the Hawkesbury.

Colleen Turnbull Secretary NRDCAA