Best hope is that Peninsula News keeps us informed
?" ("Do plan questions not get answered?", PN 557).
However, a better question would be: "Can you imagine Council ever taking notice of an adverse comment in Peninsula News?"
I can't recall Council's ever taking notice of an official objection submitted as part of the "consultation" process, so complaining in Peninsula News seems a bit futile.
The best we can hope for is that Peninsula News keep us abreast of the undesirable things Council is doing, so we, at least, know what negative actions Council is engaged in.
One day, we might even get the chance to express our concern at the ballot box.
However, given how little notice Council now takes of public opinion in development matters, can anyone imagine what the situation will be when all important decisions pass into the hands of the Developers Committee being set up under the just-approved Regional Plan?
We know nothing about the operation of this committee, but it will be astonishing if its deliberations are not even more closed to input than the Council's are now.
Will Peninsula News even be able to keep us informed of what is going on or will committee deliberations be so cloaked that the public is essentially in the dark about the region's future directions?
Given that the committee is a creature of the Minister and given that the Department is notable for its non-responsiveness to public criticism, I think I can predict which direction the committee will head in.
I believe Norm Harris will not lack for future opportunities to express negative comments about the planning process in the Central Coast.
SOURCE:
Email, 7 Dec 2022
Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy