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New Development Laws - Controversial changes to planning legislation in NSW were passed by the Legislative Council in the early hours of 18 June. A motion to refer the legislation to a Parliamentary Inquiry, which had been requested by local government and many other organisations, had earlier been lost by just one vote.
The legitimate concerns of local government, industry and professional organisations and the wider community with aspects of the legislation were recognised by many members of the Legislative Council when speaking to the Bill. Click here for a transcript of speeches and debate in the Upper House.
The ‘Keep it Local’ campaign, which was strongly supported by councils and communities throughout NSW, forced the Government to make some concessions including:
• Reinstating councils’ right to levy developments for regional and district infrastructure.
• Confining Treasury collection and holding of local levies to the Growth Centres.
• Putting in place a formal trial of the proposed housing codes across a range of councils.
• Numerous amendments to the system of private certification including making private certifiers more accountable to the public; giving councils stronger enforcement powers over private certifiers; and ensuring that variations to complying codes will not be allowed.
The Government agreed to three amendments to the legislation which were moved by the Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC:
• Establishment of an Implementation Advisory Committee comprising representatives from Local Government, industry groups, professional organisations and environmental groups.
• Establishment of a Board of Trustees to oversee the Community Infrastructure Trust Fund, which will hold local levies collected in the Growth Centres. The board will comprise six trustees—two from local government, two from the Department of Planning and two from Treasury, nominated by the Treasurer.
• An amendment to the legislation so that members of Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels (IHAPs) will be appointed by councils from a list of experts in specified fields rather than from a list of persons approved by the Director General of Planning.
The Minister for Planning also has agreed to the State Development Committee of the Legislative Council undertaking a broader review of the NSW planning system, to take into consideration other aspects of the COAG reform agenda in the context of benchmarking the NSW planning system against other states and international best practice. The inquiry would also address the relationship between planning laws and national competition laws. It is intended that the Standing Committee on State Development would report on their findings by December 2009, including whether there is justification for the development of new planning legislation over the next 5 years.
The timetable for implementing the changes to the planning and building legislation has not yet been announced. |
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Financial Assistance To Community Groups 2008 /2009
Lane Cove Council has finalised its allocation of funding for community based organisations providing services to people in Lane Cove. A list of recipients is available via this link. Council values the time, efforts and service that our volunteers and community organisations give to the community. Council has one of the most generous financial assistance programs in Northern Sydney and looks forward to continually supporting local groups as they connect and meet the needs of Lane Cove. |
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Centrehouse Community Art Centre, Lane Cove, is now calling for entries to the Eve Vonwiller Youth Art Awards 2008.
These Awards have been supporting and recognising the creative talents of 5-17 year olds living on the North Shore since 1995. The Awards are dedicated to the memory of Eve Vonwiller an inspiring and passionate art teacher who taught for many years at Centrehouse and initiated the Youth Art Awards.
The Awards are a part of the Lane Cove Cameraygal Festival. Children and teenagers are invited to submit works of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography or sculpture inspired by the theme “People of the World”. For more information and entry form please open this link.
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Bushcare Activities
For more information about the Bushcare activities in August/September, refer to this list or call Michelle Greenfield on tel 9911 3579
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Proposed Road Safety Scheme at River Road West, Bridge Street and Penrose Street
Council has developed plans for road safety improvements along River Road West, Bridge Street/ Penrose Street. The proposed Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) Scheme aims to improve road safety along the above streets.
The proposals include linemarking, traffic islands, signposting, pedestrian refuges and road narrowings along the westbound direction of River Road West/Bridge Street and Penrose Street.
The aim of the proposals is to reduce the potential crashes and prevent injury accidents by reducing vehicles speeding and by providing safer pedestrian access at some locations at the above streets.
The plans showing details of the proposed traffic calming scheme are currently on exhibition at the following locations:
- Council Chambers at 48 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
- Lane Cove Library at 139 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
- Greenwich Library at 48 Greenwich Road, Greenwich
Alternatively, selected plans are available online below:
To have your say, take the online survey or make a submission by email to lccouncil@lanecove.nsw.gov.au, fax to (02) 9911 3600 or by post to the General Manager, 48 Longueville Rd, LANE COVE NSW 2066.
Submissions will be accepted until Friday 1 August 2008. If you have any queries, please contact the Traffic Manager, Nick Karahlis on 99113581. |
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Understanding Cyberspace
Parents are invited to a free forum to get some tips on ‘Understanding Cyberspace’.
There will be a number of guest speakers sharing their knowledge and experiences:
Senior Constable Fran Aliprandi - School Liaison Officer, Matt Russell - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Unit and Greg Nikoletos - Youth Development Officer.
6:30pm for a 7pm start, Wednesday 20 August 2008 North Sydney Community Centre 220 Miller Street, North Sydney. Parking is available next to the Centre at the Ridge Street Carpark.
Please RSVP by 15 August 2008 to 9936-8100.
This Forum is brought to you by Willoughby, Lane Cove, North Sydney and Mosman Councils in partnership with the Lower North Shore Youth Interagency.
For further details please see the Understanding Cyberspace forum flyer.
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“YOU + ME = Lane Cove”
The You + ME = Lane Cove Project aims to increase mutual understanding, value cultural diversity, develop a community dialogue about Australian values and combat social isolation in Lane Cove.
Funding has been received from the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a series of free “YOU + ME = Lane Cove” events to take place in Lane Cove from February to October 2008. Please have a look at the events scheduled for August and September.
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Municipality of Lane Cove 45th Art Award Exhibition 2008
The Lane Cove Art Society invites artists to exhibit in the 45th Annual Art Award sponsored by Lane Cove Council. The exhibition will be held in the Cove Room, Lane Cove Civic Centre, corner Epping Road and Longueville Rds from Friday 8th August to Sunday 17th August 2008. For more information or to enter, please refer to this document. |
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Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan ( NSASP) 6 Month Progress Report
The NSASP is supported by 10 Northern Sydney Councils and the Department of Community Services. It is the only project of its kind in the northern Sydney region with an emphasis on providing a co-ordinated approach to accessing support services for the indigenous community. For a progress report on the Plan please refer to the attached document. |
