SOS Mona Vale residents rally at Parliament
Resident action group, SOS (Save our Suburb) Mona Vale, rallied at NSW Parliament House on 21 October calling on the State Government to implement an immediate moratorium on state-led planning reforms for the Pittwater area.
SOS Mona Vale presented an evidenced-based dossier outlining the need to stop development in the Pittwater electorate, and including stories from impacted residents, and key findings following the group’s town hall events.
Key issues contained in the dossier included wastewater and coastal health failures, geographic constraints and evacuation concerns, lack of infrastructure and transport services and affordable housing concerns.
SOS Mona Vale Convenor John David, former Pittwater General Manager Angus Gordon, veteran campaigners Parry Thomas and Shane Withington addressed the crowd of over 100 people.
“We love our coast, we love our sea and we love our bush,” Mr David said in his speech. “We take our role as custodians and protectors of Pittwater seriously.”
“Ours is not a protest group. We are appealing to our politicians to provide the leadership…they are capable of at a time when much of the government’s legislation…leads to a stifling of our voice,” Mr David said.
“The government counts roofs, developers count money, and the community counts the cost.”
Mr David said the dossier was a result of a 12-month investigation. He spoke about bushfire risks, said the sewage plant at Warriewood was at capacity and the struggles with public transport in the area.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby and Wakehurst MP Michael Regan also addressed the crowd, denouncing the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) and the low- and mid-rise housing reforms (LMR) as ‘development at any cost,’ which overrides strategic planning and community voice.
Balmain Greens MP Kobie Shetty with MP Jacqui Scruby
Following the rally, Ms Scruby presented the dossier to Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces, MP Mr Stephen Bali, who sat down with Messrs David, Gordon and Thomas, and listened to the group’s concerns.
“I have the impression he was genuinely interested to hear what we had to say,” Mr David told PL. “He expressed an interest in visiting Mona Vale to learn more and we agreed that he would be welcomed.
“I feel that, after today, our little community is a step closer to reclaiming control over its way forward,” Mr David said. “The fight continues…with renewed vigour,” he added.
Ms Scruby applauded community representatives and the MPs who continue to stand up against these reforms made their voices heard.
“Political pressure comes from community pressure. Today, Pittwater locals took their concerns directly to the steps of NSW Parliament, making it clear that they will not stand by while… planning reforms turn on the taps for developers at the expense of our community,” Ms Scruby said.
“Development cannot be a ‘let it rip’ exercise. Mona Vale and the wider Pittwater area face very real constraints, including major roads that can be cut off by flooding and bushfires, an already dysfunctional transport system, and wastewater infrastructure limitations.”
