Wollondilly Council could soon introduce a policy that will put a big spotlight on the health and wellbeing impact of new developments in the shire.
At the moment in draft form, the policy would require applicants to identify how their development or proposal might affect the health and wellbeing of the community – and propose ways to mitigate any negative impacts.
Two levels of assessments would be used according to the scale and type of the development – a Comprehensive Social and Health Impact Report (CSHIR) for the larger proposals, and a Social and Health Impact Comment (SHIC) for medium scale proposals.
Minor and small scale proposals which are unlikely to have any significant social and health impacts would not need to undertake the proposed assessment.
Wollondilly Council says the aim is to maximise the positive social and health benefits of developments within the shire to ensure “we have healthy communities now and in the future’’.
Council has been piloting a process of social and health impact assessment which aims to identify, understand and manage the social and health outcomes of a new development proposal, policy or plan.
With input from the pilot scheme, the draft Social and Health Impact Assessment Policy and Guidelines are now on public exhibition, and council is inviting feedback from local residents.
“Council has tested a new draft policy that will increase the consideration that goes into the social and health impacts of planning and land use in Wollondilly, making sure we can get the best out of any new developments,’’ says Wollondilly mayor Robert Khan, pictured above during Australia Day award presentations on January 26..
“I would encourage members of the community to go online and provide comment so that we know if we are on the right track.”
To make a submission visit the council website here.
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Campbelltown Council wants to know what its residents think of the Mount Gilead stage two biodiversity certification.
Council endorsed the certification to go on public exhibition in December after key amendments to the biodiversity assessment report and biodiversity certification strategy were made.
Council says that for several years it has worked to ensure that wildlife habitat corridors and safe fauna crossing points would be included in the planning process to protect Campbelltown’s koala population.
It also supports the NSW Chief Scientist’s recommendation of an average wildlife corridor width of 390m to 425m.
“In addition to conserving koala corridors within Mount Gilead stage two, [developer] Lendlease has made an offer to construct a koala/fauna underpass near the Beulah Biobank Site,’’ says council.
“Council considers these protection measures to be vital in ensuring the safety of Campbelltown’s koala population and people travelling along Appin Road.’’
Submissions can be lodged here by close of business on Wednesday, February 17.
