The canned outrage unleashed in ‘‘DA refusals ‘low’: Shire planning panel comes under fire’’ (Leader, October 31) is confounding to the fair dinkum, fair-go, non-philistines of the shire.
The fact that only 8/72 development applications were refused by the Sutherland Shire IHAP Panel is no perversion of proper public process because real fairness doesn’t necessitate a 50/50 split.
Fairness is the frank and fearless consideration of an application on its merit.
Fairness is a thorough and perceptive assessment of its impacts.
Fairness is a timely decision made in the public interest without fear or favor to those holding office or to those holding driveway protests.
Dr Thime Neerg, Engadine
Re ‘‘DA refusals ‘low’‘‘ (Leader October 31). In the next few weeks the Sydney South Planning Panel (SSPP) has the chance to respond to the community’s grave concerns and reject the Heathcote Hall over development application.
In doing so it can improve its figures and stop being a rubber stamp for the state government in its quest for high density development in quiet streets throughout the shire.
The upcoming meeting, where a date has yet to be set, will be the second one to consider the flats and terrace housing to be squeezed into our tiny one square kilometre suburb which has just one tiny bridge access and is surrounded on three sides by the Royal National Park.
Why it was not rejected on bushfire safety grounds at meeting one is a scandal! Does it destroy the amenity of the suburb? Of course.
While the state government stands condemned along with the SSPP let’s not forget the Sutherland Shire Council’s role. They recommended to the SSPP that the DA go ahead.
We will accept 16 houses not 55 more ugly flats and terraces in the oldest suburb in the shire. We are hopeful the panel will look beyond planning parameters. We have one more meeting, one last chance. Will the SSPP look at community safety or shout out ‘bring in the concrete trucks’.
Patrick Kennedy
Residents Against Over Development
