The policy statements by Adam Crouch and David Harris (CCN380) in the run-up to the election were an interesting contrast.
It was also significant that they chose to deliver their addresses in front of the UDIA, rather than in a public forum where they might have been asked a few pointed questions.
They could, obviously, count on the UDIA not to put them in too embarrassing a spot about their policies, as the UDIA seems to be a favoured body with the government these days.
Obviously, Mr Crouch had the harder task of the two, as he had to explain how, after 10 years or more of making a shambles of planning on the Central Coast, the Government has suddenly seen the light and is going to overcome all difficulties in the term ahead.
He emphasised the importance of the Six Cities concept, which is highly gratifying, since no government has given it the slightest attention, since it was put forward in 1968.
After a 55-year delay, our politicians have suddenly discovered it as the way ahead, so, perhaps, we’ll really see some action on it in, say, another 55 years’ time.
Other than that, he could only point to such mammoth achievements as Rugby League Park and the so-called university campus in Gosford – not an inspiring record.
Mr Harris didn’t bother with the big picture.
He went straight for the jugular with a call for “reversing the neglect of the past 12 years” in the housing sector.
He touted “Labor’s comprehensive plan to address housing supply, deliver a fairer deal for renters, and make regional housing more affordable”, although this comprehensive plan was actually conspicuous by its absence.
The creation of Housing NSW “to better direct resources to where they’re needed” sounds distressingly likely like the much-vaunted appointment of our modern Coordinator-General a few years ago, and we’ve all seen what a resounding success that has been.
Mr Harris did reflect the view of many that there needs to be “less time spent developing new plans and glossy brochures and more purposeful time given to delivering important projects”, so he deserves credit for that, if not a vote.
However, UDIA got right to grips with the most urgent concerns of every Central Coast resident – “reduced development assessment timeframes at Council, the delivery of infrastructure to unlock the existing (development) pipeline and the delivery of a sustained pipeline of development”.
It is reassuring that a member of our new Developers’ Committee has the basic interests of residents at heart and can be counted on to represent community values when decisions on our future are being made for us by our betters.
Email, Mar 4
Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy