A public community forum has called for an open, corruption free planning system for NSW and Port Stephens.
The NSW Better Planning Network, EcoNetwork-Port Stephens and the Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association convened the forum, held at the Tomaree Community Centre on 12 November.
In a motion “Addressing betrayal of public trust”, the packed forum called for:
– An open, accessible, transparent, accountable and corruption-free planning system for NSW and Port Stephens.
– The community at large, including community leaders, to unite and commit to such a system by signing the Community Charter for Good Planning in NSW.
In a second motion, the forum welcomed the Planning for People-Community Charter and called for a broad campaign for participating groups to promote the Charter to community groupings and councillors across Port Stephens and Great Lakes council areas.
Speakers were: Tony Brown (Newcastle Community Drug Action Team), Kate Washington (Labor candidate for Port Stephens), James Ryan (Greens Upper-House candidate), and Professor Howard Dick (on governance, corruption and ethics).