Serious questions being raised on draft LEP
1 Aug 11
The release of the Draft of the new Local Environment Plan (SLEP2009) for Shoalhaven City has been cautiously welcomed by the SLEP2009 Review Group.
This community group, which comprises representatives of 20 community ratepayer and resident organisations, environmental committees and other interested citizens, has been monitoring the preparation of the draft for the past 21 months.
A spokesperson for the Group, Alan Burrows, said although the eventual finalisation of the plan would be welcomed by all, there were serious concerns about some of the proposed changes which would irrevocably alter the character of the Shoalhaven’s towns and villages.
“These changes,” Mr Burrows said, “stem from the basic process elected Councillors have followed.
In 2006 Council adopted an administrative change-over from the existing LEP to the new format required by the Department of Planning.
The process was supposed to transfer zones and land uses from the old LEP to the new plan on a like-for-like basis.
This process did not require any community input.”“However in July 2008 Council’s General Manager advised Councillors that by including one-off re-zonings and refusing to include height limits for many areas of the Shoalhaven, they had gone far beyond an administrative change-over.
Those changes should have required community input,” Mr Burrows said, “but this hasn’t happened.”
The Draft SLEP2009 that has been put on Exhibition from 18 July does not include height restrictions for residential, rural and environmental zones, albeit that there is an attachment requesting comment on the inclusion of HOB Maps for R2 and RU5 zones. “In not setting maximum height limits for these zones, building heights will effectively increase from the existing 8.5 metres (two storeys) to the new default limit of 11 metres (three to four storeys).
Many people are likely to be very apprehensive about these changes.”
“The important thing to remember is that the Council that was elected in September 2008, with eight new Councillors, has continued with this flawed process.
This new LEP will have far reaching ramifications for the future of the Shoalhaven,” Mr Burrows said. “Get it wrong and we will live to regret it.”
Mr Burrows said the Review Group was encouraging all residents and ratepayers to carefully study the Draft SLEP2009 and to contact their local Community Consultative Body (CCB) if they need advice on making submissions to Council.
Details of CCBs can be found on Council’s website. www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.
In addition to Council’s consultation on the new LEP, many CCBs, either jointly or separately, will be hosting community forums to help people understand the changes.
Residents and ratepayers should check notice boards and local newspapers etc, for details.
The 13 week Exhibition period commences on 18 July, details are available of the Council web site.
For further information contact:
Alan Burrows, Convenor SLEP2009 Review Group, Ph: 4441 8855 E: alan.burrows@sandholme.com.au
Rick Gainford, Chairman; Berry Alliance Ph: 4464 2446
Keith Learn, Kangaroo Valley Community Association Ph: 4465 1117
Graeme Gibson, Chairman; Huskisson & Woollamia Community Voice.
Ph: 4441 8885, 0408 676 550
Brian Saunders, Chairman; Vincentia Residents and Ratepayers Association Ph: 4441 6431
Peter Hudson, Chairman; Red Head Villages Association Ph: 4456 4070
Jan Shalhoub, Secretary; Ulladulla and Districts Community Forum Ph: 4454 3195