Council Fighting Imprudent Lords Road Rezoning
Inner West Council has denounced ill-conceived plans by the Department of Planning to rezone one of the last pieces of valuable industrial land in Leichhardt, following formal notification that it will exhibit a proposal to rezone land on Lords Road from industrial to residential.
Administrator for the Inner West Council said that not only was the rezoning an imprudent decision, but that Inner West Council had been hamstrung by a rash decision by the former Leichhardt Council not to act as planning authority for the project.
“There is an urgent need for industrial land within easy reach of Sydney’s CBD,” he said.
“To rezone one of the last remaining pieces of industrial land in the Leichhardt area is a shortsighted, ill-considered move.”
For the last few months Council has been battling the decision to proceed with the rezoning.
“We requested a review of the gateway determination, but the Department of Planning and Environment has told us in September that because the former Leichhardt Council declined to be the relevant planning authority, Council was not eligible for a review,” said Mr Pearson.
“If the former Leichhardt Council had made the responsible decision and elected to act as planning authority, we would at least be in the driving seat.
“Now, due to their decision, we have very little say about how this project moves forward.”
“But this fight is by no means over.
“The next opportunity that Council and the community have to provide input is when the proposal goes on exhibition.
“Council will make a strong submission against the rezoning and we encourage all of our residents to do the same.
“We’re a large, strong community, so let’s bring that voice to bear on this proposal.”
The proposal to rezone the land will be on exhibition for 37 days, most likely from 15 November.
For a timeline on actions related to the Lords Road development, please see over.
Lords Road Timeline
- Aug 2014: Leichhardt Council resolved to not support the planning proposal
- Sep 2014: Proponent lodged Planning Proposal with Department of Planning and Environment (DoPE) for PreGateway Review
- Oct 2015: Council made a submission to DoPE opposing the Pre Gateway Review
- Dec 2015: Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) decided 3 to 2 to support a recommendation to proceed to Gateway
- Feb 2016: DoPE advised Council of decision and asked if Council wanted to be the Relevant Planning Authority (RPA)
- 23 Feb 2016: Council declined to be RPA
- 23 May 2016: The JRPP was appointed as the RPA
- 14 Jul 2016: The Gateway Determination was signed
- 20 Jul 2016: Inner West Council received notice of the Gateway determination
- 22 Jul 2016: Council advised the Department of Planning and Environment that it would request a Post Gateway Review
- 24 Aug 2016: Council lodged a formal Request for Gateway Review Application
- 13 Sep: Council received formal notice from the DoPE that they would not accept the application as Council was not the relevant planning authority.
- 31 October: DoPE contact Council requested details as to notification area for the exhibition