Regional Strategy Rejected
Newcastle Herald
Saturday December 9, 2006
TWENTY environmental and community groups have rejected the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy and called on the State Government to withdraw its approval and exhibit its details for public comment.
The organisations include Lake Macquarie Coastal and Wetlands Alliance, Newcastle Wilderness Society, Mulbring Valley Landcare, Econetwork Port Stephens, Green Corridor Coalition, Friends of Tumblebee, Hunter National Parks Association, Save Our Rail and the Parks and Playgrounds Movement.A spokesman for the organisations, James Ryan, said yesterday that the strategy, made public by Premier Morris Iemma in October, bore no resemblance to a draft document displayed earlier this year."The final strategy increased development area in the Lower Hunter by 143 per cent, increased the population growth target by 53 per cent, increased greenfields housing development by 38 per cent and increased the amount of bushland to be cleared by 97 per cent," Cr Ryan said.Mr Iemma rejected the groups' call yesterday, saying his Government had no intention of withdrawing the strategy.A spokeswoman for Mr Iemma said the development strategy and Lower Hunter Conservation Plan were about striking a balance between protecting the environment and providing for growth."The conservation plan delivers the biggest environmental gain ever announced for the Lower Hunter," the spokeswoman said.
© 2006 Newcastle Herald