Wednesday, July 18, 2007

NATS PROVIDE PLANNING SCHEME ‘LIFELINE’

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Peter Hall has thrown South Gippsland Shire Council a potential lifeline, in its bid to force the Planning Minister to reconsider a planning scheme amendment.

Mr Hall has moved a Notice of Motion in State Parliament calling for Amendment C36 to be disallowed, which would effectively quash the Minister’s decision, if it wins the support of a majority of Upper House MPs.

Mr Hall said he would consult with South Gippsland Shire Council so that a decision could be taken on whether it wanted to pursue the issue further and seek support from other Upper House MPs.

“This creates the potential for the Shire Councillors to effectively overturn the Planning Minister’s decision but they will need to assess their options,” Mr Hall said.

“The Shire has every right to be angry after the heavy-handed approach by the Minister to implement this amendment without proper consultation with the local community.”

The Nationals Lower House Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said he supported Mr Hall’s Notice of Motion and would continue to work with South Gippsland Shire Council.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Minister refused to meet with Council despite repeated requests over several months,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Minister is seeking to impose this amendment without any consultation and I suspect he has very little understanding of the impact it will have on the South Gippsland community.

“This amendment will impose further restrictions on subdivisions and effectively limit the Shire’s capacity to grow in the future.”

Media contact:                  Peter Hall      (03) 5174 7066   or 0427 747 066