Proper planning gives people a valid say

Bruce Hyland (Peninsula News, August 5) always writes thoughtful and precise letters, the last one being about the White Paper on planning and development.

Might I say, in regard to community input for development, the germination seemed to be in the 1960s and 70s and flowering occurred in the 1980s with the Wran Labor government.

This was before concerned citizens were horrified at the bulldozer mentality of everything worthwhile and the mantra of anything goes in regard to development.

The state government was supreme and rode roughshod over local councils and communities.

When proper planning laws were established, plus the Environment Court, it then gave councils and the people a valid say in regard to development.

Letter, 12 Aug 2013,

Keith Whitfield, Woy Woy