NSW Housing Overhaul Sparks Environmental Concerns: Could Fast-Tracked Approvals Open Door to Unchecked Development?
Sydney, Australia – Enterprising changes to New South Wales’s planning laws, intended to accelerate housing development, are facing sharp criticism from environmental groups who warn the reforms could inadvertently pave the way for the rapid approval of damaging projects – including mines and infrastructure – without crucial environmental safeguards.
Announced in september, the proposed overhaul was presented by NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully as a “once-in-a-generation change” designed to “make the planning system quicker and simpler” and deliver more homes and jobs across the state. However, the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and organizations like the NSW Nature Conservation Council argue the scope of the changes extends far beyond housing, potentially gutting environmental assessment processes.
Key Concerns:
* Broad Ministerial Powers: The bill grants the Minister important power to designate specific developments – or entire classes of development - for a streamlined “targeted development assessment” process. Critics fear this could allow projects wiht significant environmental impacts to bypass standard assessment procedures.
* Stripped Protections: The EDO warns the changes would expressly prohibit environmental assessments and consideration of the public interest for projects designated under the new streamlined process.
* Shift in Priorities: The proposed legislation would remove references to “protecting the environment” and ”promoting…a better environment,” replacing them with a focus on “promoting productivity” and resource development.
* ICAC Warnings ignored: Environmental groups point out the increased ministerial power contradicts recommendations from the Independent Commission Against corruption (ICAC), which cautioned against politicians making decisions on individual projects due to corruption risks.
“This came out of nowhere,” said Jacqui Mumford, chief executive of the Nature conservation Council. “We have not been consulted at all, yet then we learn the goverment has been talking to the opposition for nine months…We think the bill should be sent to a committee.”
Specific Project Fears:
The concerns are especially
