Pearl Beach political activist Dr Van Davy has submitted a comprehensive and detailed response to the Six Cities Discussion Paper, concluding that the Greater Cities Commission is obliterating local government democracy in all important matters.
Davy pulls no punches, claiming the Commission is “replacing a system of locally elected governments and their locally-determined plans of integrated social, economic, environmental and equity policies, strategies, and actions with a distant, Sydney-appointed bureau”.
“The reasonable objective of Shoalhaven-to-Hunter integrated planning can best be achieved with a small, supportive, intellect-driven Commission with strong links to multi-disciplinary, intellectual centres and with a brief to support local government in its endeavours to pursue many of the excellent ideas contained in your Discussion Paper,” the submission says.
But Davy says despite three or four important omissions, the contents of much of the Paper’s six “region shapers” are “surprisingly good”, picking up on many policy matters advocated by progressive community commentators and political activists for many years.
He praises the Paper’s inclusion of a Voice for First Nations people and acknowledgement of the existence of Guringai peoples and the urgent need for top quality connectivity digitally, freight and fast train; pepper and salt housing and high-interest public amenity close to homes and work.
“In respect of economic and green shapers, I believe there to be some more conceptual work to be done,” he says.
The submission says there is a need to encourage only industries that are benign, or regenerative, of the Central Coast environment … a policy against which all other economic/industry initiatives should be measured.
Davy says there is a need for more than research, photos, reviews and counts of koalas and habitat, with a need for a practical effort to save species from extinction – a mega sanctuary of national parks surrounding the Sydney basin.
He says choosing to obliterate local democracies is not a good strategy.
“Strengthening and supporting local democracies is the way to go.”
van davy
Davy contends the Greater Cities Commission is not independent, with all six City Commissioners appointed by the Government.
Any Government appointment is likely to involve political influences rather that demonstrated community concern, competence or relevant experience, he says.
He also asks when Council and Government policies differ, which will be implemented?
He says a one-month consultation period was inadequate, with many items in the Paper having been met with silence, or derision, over the years.
The Central Coast Council is best placed to lead discussions on implementing the Paper’s vision because it has a relationship with the fuller community, he says.
“It is a fouled relationship right now but the best way to earn trust and respect is to build layers of community-oriented policies.”
Primary Source: Media release, Oct 30, 2022, Dr Van Davy