Strategy threatens sensitive land: green group
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A peak environment group says the New South Wales Government is considering opening large tracts of environmentally sensitive land on the mid-north coast for development.
James Ryan from the Total Environment Centre says areas from Grafton to Taree are being considered for inclusion in the State Government's Mid-North Coast Regional Strategy.
He says this week's decision by Planning Minister Frank Sartor to approve the development of 600 houses in the coastal village of Catherine Hill Bay, near Newcastle, should set alarm bells ringing.
"It's a very good example of how the current trends in planning are that large developers approach the Minister and ask him to consider projects, when there's very little justification for these proposals under the systematic strategic planning that goes on in local councils," he said.
Mr Ryan says the situation should be of concern to people on the mid-north coast and in other parts of the state.
"There are a number of areas on the mid-north coast that are currently part of the consideration by the Planning Minister for the Mid-North Coast Regional Strategy, which is the same sort of process that ended up with Catherine Hill Bay getting this development approved." he said.
"There are places at South West Rocks, at Scotts Head and Crescent Head, certainly at Green Point and North Arm Cove and particularly West Yamba."
