I fail to see the logic in your rationale and support for such a dictatorial "quick fix" solution and windfall for developers.

What has this to do with "common sense", planning or otherwise?

Although not all developers are in it for a quick buck, my experience tells me that most are.

It concerns me that a government, swept to power on certain reforms, including the re-empowerment of local government and local communities, particularly in terms of their own planning sovereignty, has so quickly done the proverbial backflip.

This sleight of hand, making Part 3A disappear on the one hand only to reappear in another form in the other, is not only deceptive, but also could be seen as an insult to communities.

Many of us held hope for a new paradigm in government, with promises of protecting our land and water from Coal Seam Gas and long wall mining, yet we are still waiting for the Aquifer Interference and Land Use Policies, which assured us of those certainties.

No, with the further disempowering of communities, including our rural landholders, it appears the development lobby and the mining industry still have their greasy mitts all over this government too!

No, Mr Editor, this is anything but common sense unless, of course, you are focused on selling more advertising space to the development industry and see the community as nothing more than commercial entities to buy your newspaper rather than "empowered" people, with the rights of self-determination!

I continue to fight for real people power and not the power of manipulation.

CR LARRY WHIPPER

Deputy Mayor