Climate provisions 'not needed'

Gosford Council's manager of integrated planning, Mr Eddie Love, has defended the absence of provision in the council's Draft Local Environment Plan (DLEP) for climate change and sea level rise.

Mr Love coordinated the council's response to sea level rise projections based on climate change evidence.

Mr Love said council did not have to make specific provision and had followed the State Government's Standard LEP Template that contained a standard clause in relation to development within coastal zones.

"The objective of this clause is to protect the coastal environment of the state and to implement the principles of the NSW Coastal Policy," Mr Love said.

"As such, a number of matters need to be considered, including climate change and the affect of sea level rise.

"There are no specific directions in the LEP template in relation to zones or development controls to respond to climate change.

"The work council has undertaken in relation to sea level rise commenced after the DLEP was sent to the Department of Planning in May, 2008.

"Council's strategic sea level rise and climate change investigations need to progress further before specific development controls or zoning alterations are able to be drafted and incorporated into DLEP 2009 and DDCP 2009."

Mr Love said that the State Government's Central Coast Regional Strategy designated Woy Woy as a town centre, as a focus for future population and business growth.

"The strategic direction chosen by council, in consultation with the community, will influence the type of land-use planning required in DLEP 2009 and DDCP 2009.

"On this basis, the DLEP 2009 does not contain specific provisions in relation to planning for sea level rise or climate change."

Mr Love said that the DLEP was over half way through the exhibition period and some feedback to the community on regularly arising issues had occurred through the addition of new 'Frequently Asked Questions' to the DLEP webpage," Mr Love said.

"There has been very good attendances by the community at the 11 information sessions held so far across the city in evenings and on weekends.

"The vast majority of people have been either happy, satisfied or at least understand the issue that they enquired about after discussion with council staff," he said.

Clare Graham, 17 Mar 2010 Interviewee: Eddie Love, Gosford CouncilG