Rodney Stevens
A NSW Parliamentary inquiry into the Planning System and the Impacts of Climate Change on the Environment and Communities is calling for public submissions and the Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN Inc is encouraging locals to show their concerns about what is happening on the Yamba floodplain.
The inquiry has been tasked to inquire into and report on how the planning system can best ensure that people and the natural environment are protected from climate change impacts and changing landscapes.
Portfolio Committee No 7 who will conduct the inquiry will be chaired by Greens MLC Sue Higginson, with deputy chair John Ruddick MLC, and members Mark Buttigieg MLC, Anthony D’Adam MLC, Scott Farlow MLC, Jacqui Munro MLC, and Peter Primrose MLC.
The Terms of Reference of the inquiry will examine four key areas;
- Developments proposed or approved (i) in flood and fire prone areas or areas that have become more exposed to natural disasters as a result of climate change (ii) in areas that are vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal erosion or drought conditions as a result of climate change and (iii) in areas that are threatened ecological communities or habitat for threatened species.
- The adequacy of planning powers and planning bodies, particularly for local councils, to review, amend or revoke development approvals, and consider the costs, that are identified as placing people or the environment at risk as a consequence of (i) the cumulative impacts of development (ii) climate change and natural disasters (iii) biodiversity loss (iv) rapidly changing social, economic and environmental circumstances.
- short, medium and long term planning reforms that may be necessary to ensure that communities are able to mitigate and adapt to conditions caused by changing environmental and climatic conditions, as well as the community’s expectation and need for homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
- alternative regulatory options to increase residential dwelling capacity where anticipated growth areas are no longer deemed suitable, or where existing capacity has been diminished due to the effects of climate change.
Committee chair Sue Higginson said she expects there will be significant public interest in the inquiry because the planning system affects all of us and the way we live in our local environments.
“The inquiry will seek to identify what short, medium, and long-term planning reforms may be necessary to ensure communities are able to mitigate and adapt to conditions caused by changing environmental and climatic conditions,” she said.
Yamba CAN Inc secretary Lynne Cairns said the group were calling on all local residents to lodge a submission to the inquiry.
“We need to lodge as many submissions as possible to the inquiry, to really show our concerns as to what is happening on the Yamba floodplain,” Mrs Cairns said.
“It doesn’t matter how detailed or small.
“Every single submission makes a difference.”
Mrs Cairns asked every resident making a submission to include which points they are responding to in the Terms of Reference.
“In your submission, please ensure you invite the Portfolio Committee to visit Yamba to undertake a site inspection down Carrs Drive, Orion Drive, and Park Avenue developments,” she said.
Mrs Cairns said anyone who needs assistance preparing a submission can email yambacan@gmail.com
Submissions close on November 3 and can be emailed to portfoliocommittee7@parliament.nsw.gov.au or lodged on the inquiry website