Clarification regarding approval of the Moss Vale Indoor Aquatic Centre
On Friday 31 August 2012 representatives from Wingecarribee Shire Council met with staff from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure to clarify a minor administrative oversight relating to the consent for the Moss Vale Indoor Aquatic Centre.
The meeting was organised after the department received a number of complaints relating to inconsistencies between the conditions of consent issued by Council and the actual conditions imposed by the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) when it approved the project.
While both Council and the department acknowledged that the inconsistencies were largely administrative in nature and, in some cases, actually strengthened the conditions, it was agreed that it would be best if the consent was in line with the approval as granted.
As such, the Chair of the JRPP Pam Allan will be writing to Council requesting that it issue a new notice of determination as soon as possible.
Ms Allan said that despite the administrative error, the project remained an important community asset for the people of the Southern Highlands and will remain unchanged.
“The regional panel decided unanimously to approve the application and noted its clear benefits for the local community,” Ms Allan said.
“It’s unfortunate that this minor administrative oversight has caused some confusion.”
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure also confirmed that there is no truth whatsoever to suggestions that it will issue a stop work order for the project.
The department has also confirmed that a member of staff spoke to a complainant about the matter before the issue had been discussed with Council. The department has subsequently apologised to Council for not informing it first, in line with agreed practice.
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Brad Hazzard and his office were not involved until they were asked by Council to investigate the department’s breach of practice.