Scrap joint panel
A DECISION by the O’Farrell Government to send major development applications to NSW councils to assess does not necessarily mean local councillors will get to vote on approving them.
Tweed Shire Council chief planner Vince Connell yesterday revealed the applications, particularly the larger ones, were likely to be decided by the unelected members of the Joint Regional Planning Panel, half-appointed by the State Government.
Earlier this month the new Coalition government promised it was axing controversial planning legislation under which the NSW Department of Planning considered major development proposals.
However while the council staff may now have the job of assessing the applications, it appears any valued at more than $10 million will be given to the appointed planning panel members to consider.
The NSW Local Government and Shires Associations welcomed the move, but called on the government to also abolish the joint regional planning panels.
Mr Connell said three applications for major developments on the Tweed were being sent back to Tweed Shire Council to assess.
They include subdivisions at Casuarina and Bilambil Heights and a major commercial expansion of Club Banora.
