While Justice David Lloyd’s judgment only applies directly to those two sites, it will almost certainly unravel all development approvals involving memoranda of understanding and deeds of agreement with land swaps – where developers win approval in exchange for handing privately owned conservation land to the Government.
This article was replicated from SMH. For the full article, please see catherinehillbay.org.au
Surfrider Foundation Australia’s Hunter Chapter congratulates the communities involved with saving Catherine Hill Bay from over development. Surfrider, through the efforts of the local Chapter representatives, have been working to support the campaigns to conserve the region for future generations, and applaud the Land and Environment Court for its perspicacity and diligence.
The Chapter has been active in letter writing, media presentations and helping stage activities such as International Surfing Day at Catho, and while we have played a small role in this fantastic achievement, we are fully stoked to work with the Community to achieve such a win!
We remind all, that while this is a positive move toward acknowledging the importance of our coastal environments, and identifying the need for vigilance relating to planning and development decision making processes, the battle continues along our cherished coastal zone, and we encourage the Community to be aware of the issues and campaigns around them.