The Greens want to scrap the contentious "Part 3A" legislation that makes it possible for the state government to by pass Randwick City Council on the unpopular Coogee Bay Hotel redevelopment proposal.

Greens Federal candidate for Kingsford Smith, Lindsay Shurey, stepped into state politics yesterday to call for the removal of that part of the state Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

She said,

"I don’t want to see Coogee Beach ruined by the state government’s imposition of a high rise on the hotel site against local wishes. The state government should listen to the residents. Paul Pearce should at the very least publically release all concept plans."

Ms Shurey stated that Greens Councillor Murray Matson will be moving a motion to next week’s Council meeting seeking support for the repeal of Part 3A.

Ms Shurey was joined at Coogee Beach yesterday by local greens members Sue Doran and Anne Gardiner to campaign against the hotel proposal.

Ms Doran, a local Coogee resident spoke up for the community and said,

"The Coogee community has been most concerned by this year’s revelations over the assessment of the Coogee Bay Hotel site redevelopment proposal. Everyone now realizes how much Part 3A of the EPA Act 1979 disempowers them from involvement in major planning decisions in NSW. Part 3A has got to go!"

Councillor Matson’s motion reads,

"That Council adopt a policy point of supporting the repeal of part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to achieve a greater and more direct involvement by local communities via their local Councils in major planning proposals such as that of the Coogee Bay Hotel site."

Cr Matson attacked both the Liberal and Labor parties for originally introducing part 3A. He said,

"Part 3A was originally implemented by the Labor Party with the support of the Liberals. Neither major party has any credibility on the Coogee Bay Hotel site issue because they both opened the back door to the developers!"

Contact: Randwick City Greens Councillor Murray Matson

Lindsay Shurey (right) Greens federal candidate for Kingsford Smith with Sue Doran (center) and Anne Gardiner (left) campaigning against the Coogee Bay Hotel 15-6-2010