Further to the latest ‘affordable housing’ reforms by the NSW Labor government, a spokesperson for the NSW Minister for Homelessness and the North Coast, Rose Jackson, has replied to Echo questions.
Recent reforms to the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), which guide affordable housing development, were roundly criticised by the peak body representing councils, Local Government NSW (LGNSW).
LGNSW president, Cr Turley, said the new SEPP removes councils from the approval process, and that it ‘further erodes councils’ involvement in town planning, giving developers increasingly free rein in both city and country’.
Yet a statement by Ms Jackson said the opposite, claiming that councils and communities had been consulted on the reforms.
The Echo asked whether Ms Jackson agreed her comments – that councils were considered in the reform – are inconsistent and inaccurate, given the views of LGNSW.
Effective law?
Additionally, The Echo asked how the NSW government ‘can be confident that their affordable housing reform will be effective, given there is no measure of effectiveness in this reform’.
‘Does Ms Jackson support a parliamentary inquiry into the SEPP to establish how affordable housing outcomes can be measured and improved?’
A spokesperson for Ms Jackson did not answer the questions, but told The Echo, ‘We remain committed to working across all levels of government to expedite the delivery of more homes’.
‘This includes continuous and ongoing conversations and consultation with Councils, local communities, and industry.
‘Availability of housing is at it’s lowest level in decades, the lack of supply directly impacts affordability.
‘Fast-tracking the delivery of more affordable homes is vital to help confront our housing crisis’.
Biggest load of BS ever councils have no say in anything with state and federal government’s trying to shove housing targets down the council areas throats without any concern for the environment or amenity or anything else full on diatribe from state government
I have no confidence at all in the state government, bunch of slackers and possibly dictaters from what I can see so far…don’t seem to care for anything except themselves…🤷♀️
What on earth is environmental law if not law to protect the environment.
How does any law that focuses on never-ending construction to accommodate never-ending population growth driven by never-ending, yet entirely avoidable, immigration, protect the environment?
The proposition is absurd.
So who is buying it? More important, who’s selling it?
Developers and their cronies no doubt.
I really think that certain areas should be allocated for high rise, high density housing along with all amenities, recreational areas for those living in high density housing. They should be properly planned and approved accordingly. The other areas should be allowed to remain as medium density and low density housing.
The pro-developer National party cronies controlled council in Tweed Shire in the 90’s were responsible, “removed for conduct conducive to corruption”, for the loss of all councils town planning in NSW. Then with the decade long NSW LNP Govt in control from Sydney we had the same pro-developer controlling everything from Sydney. The developer cronies element are always there, costing ratepayers millions in litigation for some terrible developer applications.
We now have a change of Govt in NSW with an attempt to put some control on decades of LNP pro-developer “Conduct conducive to corruption” type planning. If anyone can put some credibility back into regional planning it is Rose Jackson, she’s a fighter, she’s a head kicker and won’t take any crap from anyone and has the interests of the community as a priority!