The ultimate power to sign off on virtually any major development within NSW now rests with one person - the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor.
Of course, in the past, this rubber stamp has always been the final imprimatur and logical last step in a lengthy process governed by a well established procedures and official guidelines, with numerous opportunities for involvement by all the stakeholders involved.
Revelations in Wollongong’s ICAC enquiry exposed the seamy side of an entrenched planning process which now places all the power with developers and politicians and not only completely circumvents the authority of planning professionals within local councils but also deprives local citizens of any meaningful voice.
The ‘judge and jury’ approach now being adopted by the Iemma government smacks of a father knows best mentality which can be readily understood against a backdrop of systemic corruption but at the same time raises concerns about the increased likelihood of ongoing mismanagement and incompetence, not to mention outright corruption.
The argument being put forward is that the toxic culture within the council bureaucracies (in Wollongong and probably Shellharbour soon) will take years, not months, to eradicate and it is hard to disagree with this line of reasoning, however there appears to be a distinct lack of enthusiasm when it comes to the re-appointment of Neighbourhood Committees or other forms of community engagement.
Those people calling for a quick return to a fully elected council (presumably including many recently dumped councillors) I believe are inadvertently overlooking the simple fact that all the previous councillors signed off on the destruction of Neighbourhood Committees notwithstanding the fact that they were the one and only entity that acted honourably when it came to town planning matters and I believe as a consequence should be re-introduced well before new elections are contemplated.
The dismemberment of Neighbourhood Committees by ex-CEO Rod Oxley (presumably at the behest of councillors and/or the lord mayor) was pure political bastardry, and not to re-introduce them immediately simply validates the actions of people who have now been totally discredited at ICAC.
The Minister for the Illawarra, David Campbell, has often taken credit for the introduction of Neighbourhood Committees during his time as Lord Mayor, however his voice has not been heard in defence of his so-called claim to fame in local politics. In fact you could say his positive input on this now touchy subject has been conspicuous by its absence.
And talking about being missing in action, the former Lord Mayor Alex Darling has virtually disappeared from sight altogether - during the ICAC hearing he either refused to comment or defended his disloyal ex-CEO to the bitter end.
Completely absent in this whole sorry affair has been a single politician/councillor, of any colour, or bureaucrat (local or state appointed), who has apologised for disenfranchising ratepayers and/or made any attempt to reintroduce this most basic of democratic rights by resurrecting the Neighbourhood Committees.
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