Foreshores deal worth fighting for

DEAR News Of The Area,

THE recently released draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) for the proposed ‘Revitalisation of the Foreshores’ should be a source of concern for every member of our community.

While the document was only a draft and released for public comment, it is deeply disappointing that Council staff were prepared to put it on public exhibition while promoting it as a great achievement – claiming that, through negotiations with Property and Development NSW, they had secured benefits above and beyond what would normally be expected.

The reality appears far less impressive.

Council has repeatedly told the community that developer contributions are capped at $20,000 per lot and that, based on this figure, we should only expect around $9 million.They then proudly announced they had negotiated a contribution of $10.85 million.

That sounds impressive until you consider that the $20,000 cap was introduced in 2010.

Fifteen years of inflation has significantly reduced the real value of that contribution. A figure that may have been appropriate in 2010 cannot simply be treated as adequate today.

There is also an established process whereby councils that believe they require higher contributions can apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for an increase.

In recent years, IPART has recommended contributions in the vicinity of $100,000 per lot in some circumstances.

There is no suggestion that our community would automatically receive that level of contribution, as every application is assessed on its merits.

However, given the scale of the proposed development and the expectations created by the glossy brochures and promises that accompanied PDNSW’s planning proposal, Council should have been prepared to make the strongest possible case to secure the public benefits our community was led to expect.

Instead, it appears Council staff have meekly accepted a very ordinary offer without the level of advocacy our community deserves.

The late great VFL commentator, Dennis Cometti, once explained why, if his life depended on it, he would choose his mother to take a kick for goal ahead of some of the greatest players in the game.

When asked if she was a great goal kicker, he replied: “She’s not – but at least I know she would care.”

Perhaps it is time we had someone negotiating these agreements who cares enough to fight for the best possible outcome.

So I nominate my mother to participate in the negotiations for the final VPA.

She  may not understand town planning, developer contributions or complex legal agreements, but at least I would know she would be determined to get the best deal possible for our community.

And that is what residents should expect from those representing them – not simply accepting what is offered, but fighting for what our community deserves.

Regards,

Bruce Weir,

Coffs Harbour.