This week the NSW Government, with the support of the Opposition, passed the biggest overhaul of planning laws in 50 years, legislation designed to cut red tape for developers and legislate targeted approval pathways such as the low to mid rise housing reforms. 

“I am one of only four Legislative House members standing up against developer-led planning,” said Independent Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby MP.

She successfully moved an amendment to protect native habitat as part of the objects to the act. 

“These reforms sought to water down nature protections - I ensured they were restored to conserve all native habitat, not just that inhabited by endangered species. That amendment is a win for Pittwater and a win for NSW,” said Ms Scruby.

“Both major parties are now pro-developer, pro-low to mid rise reforms - but protecting Pittwater means preserving our tree canopy, our character, avoiding construction in bushfire and flood zones, and upholding our local planning controls.”

Ms Scruby highlighted comments from Liberal Opposition Leader Mark Speakman: “We are pro housing, we are pro reform” and “unashamedly YIMBY.”  

“The streamlining of planning approvals will increase the number of complying development certificates and we will also see an increase in state significant developments and rezoning, all of which reduce community input and usurp local planning controls as well as bringing corruption risk with the consolidation of power to the Development Coordination Authority and the Housing Delivery Authority,” Ms Scruby said.

“My office has been flooded with concerns in recent weeks. People can count on me to be their voice against developer driven development.

“At the weekend, I joined hundreds of local residents protesting at Indigo by Moran proposed development at Narrabeen, a State Significant Development application for retirement living which is in gross excess of both local and state planning controls.”

“This is a State Significant Development that will create a huge change in the landscape of Ocean Street and surrounds as well as impact traffic, neighbourhood amenity, coastal planning and the character of Narrabeen.” Ms Scruby said.

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You can watch Ms Scruby’s address to Parliament here.

You can view Ms Scruby’s Planning Community Forum (November 3) with James Farrington, Director of Planning and Place Northern Beaches Council, attended by 140 people, here.