In answer to your questions:
1. Of course this wonderful non urban area is some of our most environmentally sensitive. The LEP was initially designed - with the assistance of community volunteers such as Michael Paine of the Red Hill Preservation Society and planning consultant, Mr John Mant - to ensure that the natural bushland and lake would be protected from development that did not have the necessary levels of low impact, and that included SEPP 5. They were overruled by the DUAP which forced Warringah Council to remove these indications from the document. Look now at the impact of SEPP 5 developments that have affected our lagoon catchments! When I look at the degradation of Narrabeen lagoon since my childhood - 60 odd years on - I am most concerned for its long term future: There are massive islands in that lagoon today that were not there when I was a young child!! This is not fantasy - I remember what it looked like as clear as a bell. And to think that the DUAP have designated it as sensitive and valuable and placed so called "restrictions" on developments that might affect it: Sheer hypocrisy.
Now to further their hypocrisy, they call in projects such as this one under 3A. The Redevelopment of the Museum of Contemporary Art (designated under 3A) can easily be seen to be a project of regional significance, but where does the Minister get of with this one - it's nothing of the sort.
2. I am on the public record at "candidates meetings" and in my election advertising as saying that this development will go ahead "over my dead Mayoral body." As Mayor I would go on the front foot to get an immediate appointment with the new Minister for Planning (and make it plain that his government is totally on the nose with the electorate, because of its planning arrogance in the face of the people's concerns all over the State. If it ever had any hope of re-election, it had better start listening. I would point out the total inconsistency in its views about Narrabeen lagoon and this development, and with the other SEPP 5 developments that have degraded the lagoon and its catchments. If they refuse me, I will be in the face of the media, saying just what you have read.
3. Of Course. But you only have to see how it is constantly whittled away: Even the Administrator rescinded the elected Council's decision to list Educational establishments and places of worship as category 1.
4. I have stated my concern at the abuse in calling developments in under 3A that have no special planning or regional significance. As Mayor I would write to the President of the Local Government Association (LGA) asking why it has not launched legal action to injunct the Minister from calling in DA's that were clearly outside the scope of the legislation's intent: This is defying the Parliament! If that doesn't work, then Warringah Council might well consider doing it. Lastly, Warringah will be placing a motion on the agenda of the LGA Annual Conference to ask it to do so.
Sorry it's a bit long - but you can see that I'm hot under the collar about this.
Kevin Begaud,
Candidate for Mayor and "B" Ward