Climate change stops aged care development in NSW
Governments will be forced to consider how climate change and rising sea levels will affect all future urban developments after a ruling in the NSW Land and Environment Court in December.
Justice Peter Biscoe overturned a decision by the Planning Minister, Frank Sartor, to allow Stockland to build up to 285 homes and an aged care facility at beachside Sandon Point, 14 kilometres north of Wollongong.
Justice Biscoe found Mr Sartor had failed to consider “whether changed weather patterns would lead to an increased flood risk in connection with the proposed development in circumstances where flooding was identified as a major constraint on development of the site”.
“I think it does set a precedent for requiring consideration of climate-change issues in relation to urban development,” said Josie Walker, a solicitor at the Environmental Defender’s Office who was involved in the case.
“This will require decision-makers to consider how developments will be impacted by climate change. Previous judgments deal only on how projects would contribute to climate change.”
