The residents of Dublin have been given an opportunity to voice their growing concerns about a proposed local code amendment.
Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, held a second consecutive Sunday meeting in the area yesterday to help locals craft their submissions to the proponent ahead of public consultation deadline the following day (Monday, 2nd December).
Mr Piccolo said while the first meeting was to hear key issues from the community, yesterday’s session focused on ensuring each resident properly addresses concerns in their submissions for the Dublin Employment Code Amendment.
“A number of concerned residents contacted me as they did not believe they were getting answers to the questions they were asking about this proposal,” said Mr Piccolo.
“We want to ensure the people of Dublin don’t feel disenfranchised and powerless, given the history of planning in that locality.
“These residents still remember the controversial Integrated Waste Services proposal under the Olsen government, which had left a very bad smell.
“We need to ensure that the planning system is robust and accessible to all if we are to prevent the loss of community confidence in.”
Mr Piccolo echoed these sentiments while speaking in State Parliament last Wednesday, addressing the delicate balance that planning policy must strike between the interests of residents and developers.
The developer, Leinad, claimed their engagement process was thorough and inclusive, but Tony's interactions with the community told a different story.
“Residents felt overwhelmed by jargon and underwhelmed by genuine engagement, with short consultation periods and forums held at inconvenient weekday hours only adding to their frustration,” said Mr Piccolo.
“The developers need to act in good faith and provide the necessary details and time for residents to have a meaningful say.”
Mr Piccolo also criticised Adelaide Plains Council’s decision to support the code amendment without conducting their own consultation process or considering the infrastructure costs to the community.
“The developer has downplayed the importance of council's role in consulting with and advocating on behalf of their residents with the sense the approval is a foregone conclusion,” said Mr Piccolo.
“It is my strong view that councils have a role to play in consulting with and advocating on behalf of their communities.
“Council’s decision to approve the code amendment sets a very worrying precedent which needs to be addressed, or residents and ratepayers could be effectively locked out of the proponent-led code amendment process.”
With some residents wanting an extension of time and a guarantee that they will not be let down like they have in the past, Mr Piccolo believes this is a reasonable request.
“I urge both the council and the developer to rethink their positions,” said Mr Piccolo.
“If changes to the planning policy regarding code amendments are required, so be it.
“If the current policies do not protect the rights of residents to be heard, and changes to the regulations are required, so be it.”