Today I tabled a petition on behalf of my community against the proposed housing development at Lizard Rock in Belrose. The petition has over 12,000 signatures, showing the widespread community opposition to this destructive housing proposal.
The size of this petition, organised by local group The Bushland Guardians, means the Government is obliged to respond to our community’s concerns, and ensure the issue is debated in State Parliament.
The community and I, both when I was Mayor and now as the State Member for Wakehurst, have been very clear. The current Lizard Rock proposal goes against good planning and environmental protection principles. It would see the destruction of large swathes of bushland and place homes and people in an area with high bushfire risk and limited infrastructure. Seriously, have we not learned from the most recent of bushfires? Further, the latest independent studies rule out this style of development in high bushfire zone areas, and is why Ingleside was finally knocked on the head and its dwelling targets distributed to areas like Brookvale for in-fill development where infrastructure exists.
More greenfield low-density housing, in areas without pre-existing infrastructure is not what our State, city or electorate needs. The Northern Beaches Council has a comprehensive plan for more homes, including a higher proportion of affordable homes in strategic locations – this is what the community wants, and this is the most sustainable, and fair way to tackle our housing crisis.
It's time for the new NSW Government to keep their pre-election promise and block this potentially destructive and unsustainable housing proposal. It’s crucial that the Government ensures the owners of the land, the MLALC, receive fair income from their landholdings, while making sure bushland on the Northern Beaches is protected.
I will continue to hold the Minns Government to account on this issue, and work constructively with all stakeholders to help find a smart solution that is fair for both the MLALC and our community.
ENDS
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