Palerang Council's new DCP (Development Control Plan) was adopted unanimously by Council last Thursday night. The document was roundly applauded by most Councillors except Cr Raynolds who said he "would vote for it with considerable regret."
Reece McDougall, Director of the NSW Heritage Office, had written to the Council stating that he was pleased to advise that he supported "the adoption of the DCP as it stands at present as a document which will provide the starting point for a successful partnership between Council and the Heritage Council to manage Braidwood's heritage significance into the future."
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, welcomed the adoption of the new DCP as a step toward protecting Braidwood's heritage. "The new Braidwood DCP is the result of a lot of hard work by Council and Heritage NSW. After quite a long period of negotiation the end result is cooperative and practical. Although I have not yet had a chance to read the final document from Thursday night, the outcome is one that has my support and, I understand, the support of Heritage NSW" Steve Whan said.
Mayor Jim Maclachlan, General Manager Peter Bascomb, councillors and planning staff all deserve congratulations for their efforts in what has been a difficult process.
"There have been some compromises from both sides but the result is a very important step in better planning and heritage protection, he said. "This DCP can now form an integral part of heritage listing Braidwood."
Mr Whan continued that "my preferred model for heritage listing has always been to list Braidwood with developments consistent with a suitable DCP able to be approved by council. That is why I have constantly tried to explain to people that Heritage NSW will not be overseeing every planning decision. We now have the basis for that to occur."
"The DCP combined with Minister Sartor's commitment to work individually with each rural land owners should provide the basis of a listing that protects the beautiful heritage of Braidwood.
"I will now urge Minister Sartor to make the final decision on Braidwood Heritage listing in the next four weeks,
"From the discussions I have had with him since he visited Braidwood I believe this should be possible," he said.
"Braidwood is a very special place and I have no doubt that protecting its historic character will be a great investment in the future of the community."
The Nationals recently preselected candidate for Monaro, David Madew weighed into the debate saying he "welcomed Palarang [sic] Council's Development Control Plan put forward at the council meeting...At last we are seeing a bit of sense in this argument about heritage in Braidwood" Mr Madew said. "Despite the attempt by the present Labor member to bully the local population into placing the town in aspic by turning over local government control to the Department of Heritage [sic], at least the council understands the common sense answer of allowing controlled development".
Copies of the adopted development control plan may be purchased from Palerang Councils offices in Braidwood and Bungendore or downloaded from Council's web site www.palerang.nsw.gov.au
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