Kurri Pound In The News Again

[DMA]

As many of you may remember a petition was started in respect to the poor conditions at Kurri Pound. Alas we're still trying to get it presented to Cessnock Council, but at least one of the Councillors is aware of the situation & has finally raised the issue in the Newcastle Herald . Please read attached scan of Saturday's article...

Hopefully something will be finally done about the place.

Edited August 23, 2010 by DMA

[DMA]

Furthermore Cessnock Council has had it's planning powers taken away from it this morning. Here's the article from today's Newcastle Herald...

Cessnock loses planning powers to panel

BY DONNA SHARPE

24 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM

CESSNOCK City Council has been stripped of its authority to determine major development applications after NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly appointed a three-person panel to assess projects with a value of more than $1 million.

The move comes three months after Mr Kelly wrote to the troubled council demanding it show cause why its planning powers should not be removed after he revealed it was the most complained about council in NSW with a history of delays in dealing with rezonings and development applications.

Cessnock mayor Alison Davey said yesterday she had expected the news, but that it was "a blow we didn't have to have".

"I think some of the justification is stretched, I think he's [Mr Kelly] saving face."

The decision puts projects, such as a 14-unit residential development in Chidgey Street, Cessnock, and the future of The Vintage and Nulkaba residential sites, in limbo.

Yesterday, Greens MLC Sylvia Hale called on the council to challenge the legality of Mr Kelly's decision.

The panel, appointed for five years with its operations to be reviewed after two, will exercise the assessment and determination of development applications with a value of more than $100,000, which remain undetermined 90 days after being lodged and the amending of local environmental plans (assessing and determining rezoning proposals).

Mr Kelly said the department had serious concerns about the council's ability to exercise its planning role in a timely and effective manner.

He said the department was "unconvinced" with the council's response to show it was on track to deliver efficient planning.

Cr Davey, who received a letter from Mr Kelly about the panel yesterday, said the move would cost the council $120,000 a year to pay panel members.

"There will also be associated costs such as travelling," she said.

Cr Davey said the council had wanted to consult with people over local environment plans and that took time.

"We wanted to be more consultative and that's a good thing," Cr Davey said.

Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/new...el/1921089.aspx

Edited August 23, 2010 by DMA

[steve11]

Kurri pound has a very long very tainted history, including reports of a previous pound worker involved in dogfighting supposedly stealing staffords & the like to use in local dogfights. I wont say any more but this issue and others are well known to those in the loop.

Edited August 25, 2010 by steve11

[pandypam]

What a mess!,

You are just great to keep plugging away at trying to make improvments at Killy, oops I mean Kurri pound.

Dont you wish we had a magic wand and could just wave them all away and get someone to run the show who has the animals best interests in mind.