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Academic criticises planning practices

Gosford Council planning practices have been criticised in an academic paper about development influences at Ettalong.

Master of Planning student Mr Jonathan Carle said there was "evidence of irregularities" in the planning staff's justification of the rezoning of the Ettalong Memorial Club site earlier this year.

He wrote the research paper on "High density development of the Ettalong Beach foreshore" for his course at the University of Technology, Sydney.

In the paper, he referred to reasons given by council staff in support of the Ettalong rezoning.

Mr Carle cited requirements for residents to provide alternatives to exhibited plans and the consideration of economic viability as "irregularities in the response of planning staff".

"Residents are not normally required to develop 'practical or viable alternatives'," Mr Carle said.

"At any rate, residents have neither the time, expertise or money to do so."

He said: "The 'economic viability' of a development is normally the concern of the proponent or developer and not the consent authority."

Mr Carle also suggested that the staff recommendation that Council approve the original rather than the amended plan was irregular.

"It is a blatant contradiction of the Design Review Panel's comments."

Mr Carle said the comments, coupled with their "forceful nature", could be interpreted as confusion about the operation of local government and the roles and responsibilities of each party; or an attempt to unduly influence the political decision-making process.

Readers interested in receiving a copy of the research paper may email the author at jonathon.r.carle@uts.edu.au or call 0405 254 182.

Academic paper, July 18 Jonathon Carle