Letter to the Editor: Inconsistent treatment from politicians

DEAR News Of The Area,

IT is so sad, the way our community has been abandoned on the Jetty Foreshores.

The NSW Planning Minister has just released, for his electorate, a foreshore plan for a “lasting, resilient and unique parkland area providing recreation, entertainment, dining and more”.

Remember that this is in his own electorate.

He has stopped the sale of this 32-hectare site to “incorporate the area’s environmental, cultural and community values and aims to deliver a park that not only enhances liability for locals but also creates a premier destination for the Illawarra”… how hypocritical!

Remember, there was an election promise for that to happen here as well.

Instead, we have been sold an antiquated 1970s concept of building “condominiums” to progress the City.

Our people have been shown concept details of how the land at our foreshores will look after private development… well, no, it is how it could look!

This is snow job, the last community conversation was shielded from the true reality.

The proposal was about rezoning and rezoning only, the concept visuals were irrelevant as ultimately the new landowner can do whatever they want within the land use guidelines, and, as is frequently done, apply to vary the development guidelines.

The proposed rezoning (predominantly away from public recreation) is intended to be mixed use and any new freehold owner can do whatever they want within that zoning, and history has shown that is most likely intensive residential.

There is no guarantee of anything else.

All the potential for this prime piece of coastline for all the people to share and enjoy is lost… lost forever, that is why fighting this is so important.

The archaic so-called “progressive” approach to designing the future of our city that is now being forced upon us does not provide secure, well-paid jobs in the long term, is not a practical solution to the housing crisis and is little more than a short-term sugar hit.

I can’t help but think of the Paul Kelly song “Every… city feels the same”.

We have got something special so why would we give that away?

We do not need to “McDonaldise” our lovely city, we need to retain some uniqueness.

Recently the Premier Chris Minns, on another contentious issue, praised “people power” and gave an assurance that people power is listened to by his politicians.

Did I mention nearly 70 percent of a true and accurately run poll of residents was conclusive in finding that the vast majority do not want the foreshores dominated by multi-storey residential buildings?

So, where to now if you want to play a part in rescuing the potential of the Jetty Foreshores?

The final call on the State Government’s position will be that of Planning Minister Paul Scully.

Write to the Minister on office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au.

If not you, then who?

Regards,

Councillor Paul AMOS,
Coffs Harbour.