Channel 7 Former Epping Site Protection Bill 2007

Bill introduced on motion by Mr Greg Smith.


Mr GREG SMITH (Epping) [10.05 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now agreed to in principle.

The object of the Channel 7 Former Epping Site Protection Bill 2007 is to protect the site at Epping by ensuring that Parramatta City Council remains the consent authority for any application to carry out development on the site, by prohibiting the carrying out of excessive development on the site and by requiring community consultation in relation to the carrying out of the development on the site. Part 2 of the bill provides for council authority in relation to the carrying out of any development. Part 3 provides that the development of the site is to require the consent of Parramatta City Council. Part 4 requires that the council develop a concept plan for the site. Part 5 requires that community consultation be undertaken by the council in finalising that plan. The Minister for Planning, the Hon. Frank Sartor, has already taken a decision to take over control of this site and a legal declaration to that effect has been made. In particular, clause 5 of the bill states that it:

prevents the making or operation of any declaration under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 that the carrying out of development on the site is a project to which Part 3A of that Act applies or that has the effect of making development on the site a project or part of a project to which Part 3A of that Act applies.

Most crucial is the reference to:

Any such declaration that has been made

A declaration has been made.

or is made has no effect to the extent to which it applies to the site.

This bill is based on a previous bill introduced by my distinguished predecessor, the former member for Epping, Mr Andrew Tink, on 31 August 2006. Whilst based on a bill by the member for Lane Cove, it is essentially a simpler bill.

Ms Gladys Berejiklian: Epping.

Mr GREG SMITH: No, Lane Cove. Mr Roberts introduced a similar bill earlier. The need for the bill goes back some little time and the antecedents go back to 2005. Channel 7 owns a large area in Mobbs Lane, Epping, which is a very narrow lane. They are proposing to put 700 or so dwellings on there, which is far more than the Parramatta City Council would allow. The residents of that area are totally against it. They are already facing enormous development with the brick pit site on the corner of Midson Road and Mobbs Lane, which has caused extra traffic. The traffic and other problems associated with this development, with massively increased approval for sites, will be catastrophic.

The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming that the reason for this becoming part of part 3A and the Minister taking it over is that there has been a sweetheart deal between this Government and Channel 7, which has taken over premises or is building premises at the former Eveleigh railway yards, now the Australian Technology Park, and it is very much in the Government's interest to have such a large tenant and to keep on side with a large media organisation. It is a disgrace that this State is taken over by a Minister for Planning who has more powers, apparently, than Attila the Hun. The money floating into this Government to fund election advertising against the State Opposition and the Federal Government is a scandal. The people of Epping will not tolerate it. At this stage, by consent, I postpone the completion of my agreement in principle speech until a later hour.

Debate set down as an order of the day for a later hour.