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SECRET DEVELOPMENTS IN WARRINGAH LEAVE RESIDENTS IN THE DARK
May 16th 2008
Residents of Warringah face the risk of not being told about neighbouring Development Applications under a range of reforms currently being proposed by Warringah Council.
Michael Regan, who is a resident of Forestville and a candidate for ‘Wake Up Warringah’ at the Council elections in September, says: “Under these proposals, the first thing residents might know about a development next door is when the tip truck turns up on building day”.
He believes the Council’s proposed amendments are a move away from transparency. “I think applicants are entitled to an efficient process but more importantly, neighbours are entitled to be notified, to voice their concerns and offer their comment,” Mr Regan added.
Warringah Council is seeking to expand the definition of “complying development” to take in a range of new applications - including some two storey dwellings along with demolitions, garages and swimming pools. Under NSW law, ‘complying developments’ do not require notification, not even to adjoining neighbours. It is left to the discretion of individual Councils.
If Warringah Council changes its policy it could set a precedent for Pittwater, Manly and the entire State.
“As a neighbour, I want to know what is proposed next door to me .How my privacy will be maintained and my amenity protected. I think everyone is entitled to that basic right” Mr Regan said.
“It’s often neighbours or other objectors who provide Council staff with important first-hand information about potential impacts that can’t be seen on a set of plans,” said Mr Regan.
“Every property is unique. For instance, on paper, it’s hard to see what drainage issues a property may have. It’s only evidence from the next door neighbour that might highlight the problems and they can then be properly addressed.’
Mr Regan said Warringah Council’s proposal could create a situation where problems arise further down the track when the applicant has a valid consent, meaning that there was no obligation whatsoever to address the concerns. This would be a mighty headache for Council staff and for residents alike.
Mr Regan said he had a solution: “The solution I would offer Council is to create a separate ‘fast track’ system for complying DAs. If Council is confident that a DA ticks all the right boxes and can be assessed in just 7 days, then put it into a fast track system with a standard 14 day notification period. The DA is assessed in just 21 days, which is half the legislated time of 42 days”.
“As residents, we don’t always like the outcomes of a DA process but we at least want the opportunity to voice our concerns and be listened to.”
“Anyone in Pittwater and Manly should be similarly worried,” Mr Regan added. “If these amendments get passed here, the State Government is just as likely to go to other Councils and use them as a precedent. Some might wonder if that is part of the Administrator’s motivations in pushing them through in the dying months of his term at Warringah.”
“Anyone who has an interest in transparent government and the public’s ‘Right to Know’, should lodge a submission with Council. They need to be told that ‘notification’ is not a dirty word in Warringah.”
The proposed amendments are on public exhibition until Wednesday 21 May 2008. Written submissions must be addressed to the General Manager and posted to the Civic Centre, 725 Pittwater Road, Dee Why or emailed to council@warringah.nsw.gov.au no later than Wednesday 21 May 2008.
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