Better Planning Network Comments on New Planning System

REDWatch joined the Better Planning Network (BPN) in 2012 in recognition that the changes proposed in the Planning Green Paper required a mechanism to co-ordinate responses from community groups accross the state. The BPN brings together a diverse range of over 350 groups accross the state is diverse. REDWatch sees it as important that mechainsm like the BPN undertake work on the New Planning System as this makes more sence than individual groups duplicating this work. REDWatch supports BPN activities in the City of Sydney LGA under the banner of the Innercity Planning Network. To join this email list email innercityplanningnetwork@gmail.com

BPN Forum - Issues Discussed

This is a report on the Key Issues Discussed at the Better Planning Network Community Forum on the Planning White Paper in the NSW Parliament Theatrette on 20 May 2013. File is 332 KB PDF.

BPN Fact Sheet - Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)

One of the main changes in the prosed NSW New Planning System is to remove the current Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) from the Planning Act. In NSW ESD is referenced in 60 other Acts. It is proposed to replace ESD with "Sustainable Development" without the current principles that define ESD in the Act. The Department has not been clear in public forums about this change and its importance. This BPN Fact Sheet explains the issue. File is 221 KB PDF.

BPN draws the heavyweights on NSW Planning

For a volunteer-based community outfit, the Better Planning Network knows how to pull the big guns. Speaking at yesterday’s community forum was a broad array of politicians and planning luminaries of all persuasions. As Sydney state representative Alex Greenwich noted, “Any organisation that brings both the Reverend Fred Nile and myself to an event to speak certainly deserves to be congratulated.” reports Cameron Jewell for the Fifth Estate on 21 May 2013.

BPN Fact Sheet - Corruption and the NSW Planning Reforms

In February 2012, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) released a report “Anti Corruption Safeguards and the NSW Planning System” (the Report) that identified six corruption prevention safeguards that would reduce the frequency of corruption if integrated into the NSW planning system. These safeguards, together with comments on where the Bills fall short, are set out below in this Fact Sheet produced by BPN. File is 204 KB PDF.