Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Illawarra Greens spokesperson Jill Merrin -
Media Release - 14 March 2008
New Port Kembla planning laws will lock out community
Greens MP and ports spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said today that Ports
Minister Joe Tripodi*s move to create new planning rules for Port
Kembla will rob local residents, councils and local businesses of the
opportunity to have some control over the impacts of the port.
*Minister Tripodi*s request that Planning Minister Frank Sartor
develop a Major Projects State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) for
Port Kembla, Port Botany and Port Newcastle will effectively give the
state government carte blanche control over these port precincts,* Ms
Rhiannnon said.
*Under NSW planning laws a SEPP overrides all local planning
instruments and can override local councils* ability to control what
development is in the best interests of their community.
*NSW planning laws impose no obligation on Planning Minister Frank
Sartor to consult with Illawarra communities when developing the SEPP
for Port Kembla.
*This latest development shows that the Iemma government is bent on
looking after the needs of the port and transport industries at the
expense of local stakeholders.
*Minister Tripodi says he is keen to increase competition between
Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle Ports to help exporters.
*Unless the government invests in freight rail infrastructure between
the Illawarra and Sydney, including completing the Maldon-Dombarton
line, Port Kembla will remain the loser risking a significant loss of
jobs to the region,* Ms Rhiannon said.
Greens spokesperson for the Illawarra Ms Jill Merrin said:
*Wollongong Council has already had its representation stripped by
Labor with the appointment of long term administrators and this move is
yet another blow to local residents
*Joe Tripodi is effectively conspiring with Frank Sartor to develop a
planning regime that suits industry not residents.
*Minister Tripodi is engaging in spin by saying that this new
planning instrument will create a *buffer zone* between Port Kembla
and any future residential developments.
*Port Kembla already impacts on local residents and planning laws
will do nothing to create a buffer zone to lessen the problems they
experience,* Ms Merrin said.
For more information and comment:
Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Greens spokesperson for the Illawarra Jill Merrin - 0422 655 711