The Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea has called on Planning Minister Frank Sartor to acknowledge his mistakes following the release of official Department of Local Government figures that show Ku-ring-gai Council’s performance did not warrant the appointment of a Planning Panel. 

“The Local Government Department figures support Council’s claim it was performing far better than Mr Sartor was prepared to admit. From 2004/05 to 2005/06 Ku-ring-gai Council dealt with an extra 6.9 percent of DAs compared to a reduction in volume of 10.1 percent for councils of similar size,” Mr O’Dea said.

“At the same time, Ku-ring-gai Council reduced its mean days for assessment of DAs from 103 to 75.4 days (further reduced from 134 days in 2003/04). Median days taken by Council fell from 78 days in 2004/05 to 57 in 2005/06.

“Just released NSW Government figures on local councils clearly demonstrate Ku-ring-gai Council’s performance had improved substantially, as was previously claimed. This supports suggestions from Ku-ring-gai Council and local MPs that Minister Sartor failed to consult properly before appointing the panel.

“His grab for more area to control by issuing town centre maps that were never intended (including increases of 77 percent in Lindfield to a massive 525 percent in Pymble) is another reason why Mr Sartor should quit. His incompetence is evident.

“Ku-ring-gai Council has applied for an injunction in the Land and Environment Court to halt the use of the enlarged maps by the Planning Panel. Minister Sartor indicated that he did not intend to issue enlarged maps but incompetently allowed this to happen.

“I understand a directions hearing is set down for tomorrow when an urgent hearing date will be set.

“Apart from seeking Mr Sartor’s resignation or sacking I call on the Planning Panel to be halted until the Court action is fully determined.”

For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.