The LEP or Local Environment Plan 2000 is Newcastle City Council's largest re-zoning of residential land in its history. Large tracts of residential, community and ecclesiastical lands are being re-zoned as "Urban Core 2b" which would give the right to developers to erect multi-story buildings, licensed clubs and home-work establishments around people's houses.

Here is a letter I wrote in objection to this insane use of coloured pens by Council planners. I believe that this documents' architects are hoping that most people are asleep at the wheel, suffering from apathy, or just don't care.

It is heartening to know that 300 submissions were received by Council voicing concern about the LEP. According to the ABC local news feed Friday 16th February:

"Newcastle high density housing opposed

Objections to high density housing are a popular theme in public submissions on Newcastle's draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

The plan will guide future development in the city, replacing a strategy that's been in place since 1987.

Council has received more than 300 submissions on the LEP, many from residents unhappy about plans for more apartment blocks in suburbs including Wallsend, Mayfield, Jesmond and Merewether.

City Strategist Jim Davies says the plan will now be reviewed and it is a matter of trying to find a good balance.

"There is a demand for this type of housing, the medium density housing and apartments in the city for example and our plans have to accommodate that do the market can get on and provide them," he said. "

Here is one such objection.

Dear General Manager,

I wish to voice my strongest concern and anger concerning the new draft LEP 2000. I am angry that the council is attempting to carry out the greatest re-zoning of residential land in its history. I wish to therefore voice my objection at this document and its authors. I would suggest that they actually "walk" the areas they intend to re-zone with their colouring pen and see that many of these areas are occupied with people who expect to wake up in a residential zone come Febuary 15th. My residential house lies within the new zone called "Urban Core" which would allow multi-story business, home-work establishments and licensed clubs to locate around me.

My parents live in a similar area near an RSL. We have very bad memories concerning this licensed club, as during the eighties they threatened to "build around" my parents house because they didn't want to sell to them. At the time I saw the relevant council officers about the matter, wrote the appropriate letters and had the threat dealt with. I do not wish to see a repeat of this with the new planning document, giving these bullies the right to push around senior citizens and migrants, who have limited english language skills and are unable to object effectively to such an attack.

Most people think they live in a residential zone, and wish to remain in one. If council is going to change it, then let them erect posters on the electricity poles showing people where these residential zones begin and end. I would suggest that there would be riots in the streets if people knew what was going on!

Yours sincerely,

Gionni di Gravio
Mayfield NSW 2304