The Editor
Newcastle Herald
Bolton Street
NEWCASTLE
Dear Sir,

RE: Honeysuckle

In reply to Carol Lawrance ("Must be on State Land" NH 10/10) Transparency is absolutely essential in all governance and requires critical examination.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning is the Pooh-bah of Honeysuckle - Planner, landowner, developer and Consent Authority.

Probity requires that the Minister place an independent commissioner between himself as consent authority and his planning landowner and developer roles.

This is even more pertinent when you are aware that the compulsory acquisition of Wharf Rd and Primary Application for title was being prosecuted before the Development Application was exhibited.

The Planning Minister is responsible for the carriage of the Hunter Regional Environmental Plan which prevails over Local Plans (REP Clause.4 Sec.2) and must have an inquiry before disregarding his plan.

Regarding the employment issue, Ms Lawrance, could the inquiry ask:

Why no DA was submitted by proponents in 1997- 8? or,

Why the Winns Hotel is not built? or,

Why the 2000 promised jobs at Steel River by the year 2000 are not there?