Letter to the Editor - Cr Amina Keygan, Burnie

I write as a Burnie councillor to provide some clarity around what this means for a very concerned community. The suggestion that this will provide residents and stakeholders an opportunity to be 'consulted' on the move is only partially accurate.

When a development application comes before council, the public are provided an opportunity to respond to the application. There is one very important caveat: the responses that the council can consider must deal with those matters that fall under the planning scheme and only those matters. Nothing else is to influence our decision. The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act is very clear on this.

For example, safety concerns about the court house in a residential area - not a planning matter and, therefore, irrelevant.

Concerns about the CBD masterplan and economic development - not a planning matter and, therefore, irrelevant.

Concerns about lack of public transportation infrastructure - not a planning matter and, therefore, irrelevant.

Concerns about location of legal services, increased travel time and expenses for vulnerable clients or their representation - not a planning matter and, therefore, irrelevant.

Concerns about increased police response times ... well, you get the picture.

To suggest that the community can express their concerns about this move as part of the development application is only partially accurate. To try to sell it as "consultation" is a gross misrepresentation.

Cr Amina Keygan, Burnie