Last Monday, large public meetings at both Gawler and Noarlunga highlighted broad opposition from Councils, communities and local groups, all concerned about the Governments failure to understand and implement genuine community consultation, its lack of a long-range vision and its failure to address concepts of sustainability in relation to water, climate change and population growth Mr Danenberg said. The State Governments failure to consult over the Marj and the Planning Review (with limited consultation by appointment only) reinforces the perception gained from Minister Holloways representative at the public meeting; that any community consultation on urban boundaries is tokenistic at best and the Boundaries will be moved, no matter what the community think he added. The main emotion at the Gawler meeting was frustration, said Adrian Shackley of GEHA. The community will not support urban boundary extensions based only on lines on an inadequate map. Nor will we sign a blank cheque. The community wants long term solutions, not short- term profits he said. CCSA supports the Gawler meetings resolution calling for adequate and meaningful engagement and consultation. CCSA also endorse the Onkaparinga Councils call for the establishment of a Growth Management Commission, although CCSA would go further and argue that such important issues should be considered by a Sustainability Commission that would take into account issues such as the provision of water, infrastructure, sewage, health and education facilities, public transport and other vital infrastructure. Top-down state planning that ignores proper community consultation and the environmental imperatives facing SA from climate change and peak oil is fundamentally flawed and unlikely to achieve sustainable outcomes Mr Danenberg stated. We believe that the peri-urban boundary spaces (PUBS) must be carefully planned as part of this process. PUBS should not be seen as the frayed edge of urban sprawl, but as an adjunct to both the urban and rural functions of the land surrounding suburbia. We believe the current urban boundary should remain as set in 2002 and that urban regeneration and infill must take place within that boundary said Friends of Willunga Basin Chairman Mr Chris Davies. CCSA is calling for an immediate moratorium on any further extension of the Urban Boundary until adequate consultation has taken place and the community has had a chance to explore the issues and make an informed decision.
CCSA is hosting a Public Meeting on the topic at 7.30pm on August 29th at the Pilgrim Church Hall, Flinders St, Adelaide to give the residents in the rest of Adelaide an opportunity to hear the issues and decide for themselves. All interested people welcome at this free event. For further information: Contact Jamnes Danenberg CCSA Campaigner 0411 028 930. Adrian Shackley Gawler Environment and Heritage Association (GEHA) 8207 1662 (w) Chris Davies Friends of Willunga Basin (FoWB) 8556 2353
