Save Our
Sydney Suburbs (NSW) Inc.
News
Release late May 2003
Pollution and "Plan First"
Hi SOS Members
Television and newspaper
have displayed graphic images of the 500 megalitres of sewage that flowed into
Sydney Harbour during our recent rain spell of 250 to 300 mm. The magnitude
of this pollution is a direct result of the State Government's high density
policies.
The stormwater drains and the sewers of our suburbs were designed for the original
population numbers and building structures. Under its urban consolidation policy
the Carr Government is forcing hugely increased population densities into these
suburbs without improving the infrastructure. The sewers cannot cope with the
increased number of people and have a much reduced safety factor. Add to this
the gardens that are now covered with tiles, bitumen and concrete. There is
now much less open ground to absorb rainwater. Some of this rainwater then rushes
into creeks carrying pollution with it. Some enters the overloaded sewers and
causes them to overflow.
Yet the Government keeps on telling us that their high-density policies are
resulting in a more sustainable city!
PLANFIRST
Over a number of years the State Planning Department (under the then Planning
Minister Craig Knowles) prepared a series of proposed reforms to change the
planning system which became known as "PlanFirst". PlanFirst was carefully
promoted by means of a series of blatantly manipulated public meetings. SOS
realised that these proposals had the potential to drastically increase the
dictatorial powers of the Department of Planning at the expense of democratically elected councils.
As a result yet more people would be crammed into our suburbs. SOS prepared
a carefully researched ten page critical analysis of the proposals. This document
was distributed to parliamentarians and mayors of local councils. SOS also made
strong representations to the parliamentary members of the General Purpose Standing
Committee No 4 which has planning matters within its brief.
The timetable that the Department of Planning had prepared for the introduction of the autocratic
"PlanFirst" legislation then went awry. Previously announced deadlines
came and went and the department went into damage control. Finally the plans
for the legislation were scrapped but in an attempt to save departmental face
it was stated that legislation was not required and the proposals would be introduced
"administratively".
However in today's Sydney Morning Herald (page 12) Craig Knowles (now Minister of Infrastructure and Planning) is quoted as saying that every planning instrument, even PlanFirst are up for scrutiny. "Asked to explain further, particularly on PlanFirst, he raises an eyebrow but says nothing, his silence clearly implying that what he has seen he does not like".
Let us hope that Craig Knowles is beginning to see the light on the true nature of our State's disastrous planning policies.
Tony Recsei
President
Save Our Suburbs (SOS)