MINISTER KENEALLY MUST RESIGN

CALL FOR ROYAL COMMISSION INTO PLANNING AND DEVELOPER DONATIONS, AND REPEAL OF PART 3A LAWS

The "RAID/People Power" coalition today called for the resignation of Planning Minister Kristina Keneally - or her dismissal by Premier Nathan Rees - and the repeal of all Part 3A EP&A Act amendments since 2005.

This follows the minister's admission that she acted unlawfully in approving the Huntlee Sweetwater development; which was successfully lobbied by Graham Richardson on behalf of a developer who donated to the State ALP.

RAID/People Power represents thousands of residents throughout New South Wales who oppose Draconian Part 3A planning laws.We request repeal of the entire Part 3A Critical Infrastructure and Major Project amendments, also planning policy instruments which remove all rights of informed consultation from communities and government agencies.

Our group also calls for a Royal Commission to investigate developer donations in exchange for planning decisions on both State and Local government levels, and human rights reform of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

All approvals made under Part 3A must be quashed and current applications suspended pending a Royal Commission, planning reform and a return to ecologically sustainable development principles of the EP&A Act.

The recent “Death of Democracy” rally of almost 100 community groups held outside Parliament House on 27/9/09, unanimously called on the state government to initiate a Royal Commission into planning decisions and the link with developer donations.

Kur-Ring-Gai Residents spokeswoman Kathy Cowley said "It is high time we had a Royal Commission into corrupt procedures and unlawful planning in NSW."

Sandon Point court applicant Jill Walker agreed;

"Under the Westminster system the buck stops with Minister Keneally. She cannot approve applications at Sandon Point because Stockland is deeply implicated by donations for approvals.  Former ministers Sartor and Knowles are also involved after giving public parkland to Stockland for access, and for sabotaging the recommendations for environmental protection of Sandon Point Commission of Inquiry."

Contact Kathy Cowley: 9416 9007
 Kathy.Cowley@bigpond.com

Jill Walker: 42 686 100
 jillwalker@westnet.com.au