It’s clear that the NSW planning system is failing communities and the environment and needs serious reform. We have steps that the NSW Government must take to stop the developer onslaught from wrecking our precious coasts forever and to restore faith in the planning process.

Protect Coastal Environments

By prohibiting roads and developments that impact ecologically sensitive environments including Threatened Species Habitat and Endangered Ecological Communities and adding ecologically sensitive land to the protected area network. 

Consider Climate Change

By assessing and mapping areas vulnerable to floods, bushfires and sea level rise now and in the future and prohibiting development in those areas while resourcing and requiring local council’s to develop and update master bushfire and flood plans for their LGA.

Ensure Infrastructure and Services are in Place

The Government must place requirements for adequate infrastructure and services before new housing developments can be built. 

Put Power Back in the Hands of Local Communities  

By scrapping Regional Planning Panels and placing development approvals back into the hands of local councils, with joint council planning decisions over inter-regional developments.

Clean up Local Councils

By banning property developers and real estate agents from sitting on council, strengthening disclosure requirements for counsellors and giving whistleblower protections to council staff to ensure councils make the best decisions for their community. 

End Zombie Development Approvals

By forcing existing Development Approvals over 5 years old to be reassessed through the planning system with inappropriate approvals forced to redesign, take a land swap or receive compensation where appropriate. 

Assess the Cumulative Impacts of Development

The Government must require councils to develop LGA Master Plans that properly assess the cumulative impacts of development on ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystems including threatened species habitat.

Make Ecological Assessments Transparent and Independent 

By making developers use independent ecological assessors provided by the department instead of being able to shop around for experts that enable development.

Reign in Short Term Holiday Lets 

By giving councils the power to regulate and limit short term holiday lets, freeing up regional housing stock.