20 October 2025

To The Hon Mr Scott Farlow MLC

Shadow Planning Minister

NSW Legislative Council

NSW Parliament House

Dear Scott

We understand from watching the debate in the Legislative Assembly last Thursday, that the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Bill was passed with some amendments from the Opposition, the Greens and Independents.

We will be following the debate this Tuesday 21 October 2025 in the Legislative Council. 

Whilst the amendments go some way to addressing some of our concerns, there are still significant issues with the Bill which will impact residents and communities across NSW who have not been consulted.

As such we ask that you read the Update which the EDO has prepared in setting out the Bill’s Outstanding Concerns HERE  

Bill concerns:

• significant corruption risk
•  powers centralised in the Development Coordination Authority (DCA) and the Minister
•  allows expedited ‘spot rezoning’
• no external accountability if the Minister declares a proposal to be State Significant Development (SSD)
• drastically reduced community input and external oversight
• removes the role of specialised agencies and Ministers input into planning decisions
• environmental considerations still weakened
• removes the requirement to consult with Minister for Environment on development concerning threatened species

We reiterate, the Bill maintains several serious concerns which we ask you to address with further amendments.

If the Bill is to pass, we request that the Liberals demand an opportunity for formal consultation and refer the Bill to an Upper House Inquiry.

Kind regards

Kathy Cowley

PRESIDENT

Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment Inc (FOKE)

cc Ku-ring-gai Council Mayor and Councillors

cc Matt Cross MP Member for Davidson

cc The Hon Alister Henskens SC MP Member for Wahroonga

cc The Hon Chris Minns Premier

cc The Hon Paul Scully MP Minister for Planning and Infrastructure

cc The Hon Scott Farlow MP Shadow Minister for Planning