Residents will have little say, and in some cases no say, over major development near them under a proposed plan by the NSW State Government.
Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said the draft State Government Community Participation Plan (CPP) would strip communities of their right to be heard.
"This isn't a community participation plan, it's a non-participation plan," Mayor Carbone said.
"Under the State Government's proposed new plan, residents will have no say about such developments as shop-top housing, group homes, mid rise residential apartments or changes of use to commercial premises. The first you will know about it is when you receive a notice from the applicant saying construction will begin within a week.
"For these type of developments, Council currently provides at least 14 days' notice for residents to submit feedback.
"But under the new rules Council is prohibited from letting you know about these development applications. That is simply unacceptable," Mayor Carbone said.
"The State Government is effectively taking away your right to speak up and to express your concerns," he said.
"Also, the opportunity to have a say on other significant developments such as function centres, clubs or pubs and places of worship would be curtailed from a minimum of 21 days to just 14 days.
"The State Government's new non-participation plan cuts out meaningful community input, particularly in our City with high levels of disadvantage and diversity. It will also take away Council's discretion to extend exhibition periods where it knows a development will have a greater impact to the local community.
"I will always stand up for our residents and local families, and their right to have a say on developments that could impact their homes, their neighbourhoods and their way of life."
Fairfield City Council will make a submission to the draft Community Participation Plan outlining its key concerns.
