NSW: New laws to protect Sydney s water take effect today

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-1999
NSW: New laws to protect Sydney s water take effect today

SYDNEY, Feb 1 AAP - New laws to protect Sydney's drinking water come into effect today,
requiring developers to prove their projects will not impact on water quality in catchments.

State Environmental Planning Policy 58 - Protecting Sydney's Water Supply covered potential
developments in an area of more than 16,000 square kilometres, New South Wales Urban Affairs
Minister Craig Knowles said.

The law required developers, for the first time, to prove their projects would not affect
water quality in the Warragamba, Upper Nepean, Woronora, Shoalhaven and Blue Mountains
catchment areas, Mr Knowles said.

He said the strict new development standards for the catchments were introduced as a result
of the findings of the McClellan inquiry into Sydney's water contamination crisis last year.

"The new laws that come in force from today will mean tougher and stronger controls over
Sydney's drinking water catchment," he told AAP.

"It will mean that developers, for example, will have to get concurrence from the state
government and local councils if their proposed developments in anyway impact on drinking
water quality."

The other new law, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Bill, created a single land
management authority for all Sydney foreshore land except the Royal Botanic Gardens, he said.

He said the Harbour Foreshore Authority would have the power to examine both new and
current developments.

The government would prepare a comprehensive Regional Environmental Plan for the catchment
areas which supplied drinking water to more than four million people, he said.

AAP rat/tsm/bjm/de

KEYWORD: WATER (CARRIED EARLIER)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.