Politics
We should learn from past mistakes
Contrary to housing industry claims, Councils never refuse a ‘stock standard house’ on a ‘stock standard’ block.
A single building that conforms to the Building Code of Australia and the Planning Scheme must be approved ‘as of right’ by planning staff within a 6 week statutory time frame.
It is only where a developer seeks to vary these standards or wishes to put more than one dwelling on a title that elected councillors become involved.
As such matters impact on neighbour’s amenity, it is entirely appropriate that the people’s elected representatives have a say.
Of late councils have been refusing high density developments in areas of exising concentrated social disadvantage, particularly where the dwellings are cheap, small and virtually identical.
A case in point being Clarence Council’s recent refusal of 59 small dwellings on 2.5 ha in Clarendon Vale.
We should learn from past mistakes, not seek to repeat them!