Premier Mike Baird gives mate Rob Stokes the ‘poisoned chalice’, appointing him as Planning Minister
HE is the unlikely new Minister for Planning — a former environmental lawyer who in his maiden speech lamented the loss of Sydney’s bushland to development while criticising society’s need for bigger “bloated” homes.
In a move that may yet test a friendship begun in childhood, Premier Mike Baird has handed the so-called “poisoned chalice” portfolio to one of his best mates, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes.
The former Macquarie University law lecturer who wrote a PhD on “the battle for the big backyard” will attempt what his ministerial predecessors, Brad Hazzard and Pru Goward, failed in pushing through the premier’s much-vaunted planning reforms.
Among the more critical conflicts Mr Stokes will need to address is mining in the Hunter, an issue that is understood to have created tension between Ms Goward and the premier.
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Stokes, 41, admitted he did not ask for the job, but said he was relishing the challenge. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone and I have no illusions about how difficult the role is,” he said.
Mr Stokes said he still held the same views on coal mining as he did back in 2007 when he delivered his maiden speech, that there should be a focus on more sustainable ways of garnering energy. However, the reality was mining was of great economic benefit to the state, he said.
In a move that may yet test a friendship begun in childhood, Premier Mike Baird has handed the so-called “poisoned chalice” portfolio to one of his best mates, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes.
The former Macquarie University law lecturer who wrote a PhD on “the battle for the big backyard” will attempt what his ministerial predecessors, Brad Hazzard and Pru Goward, failed in pushing through the premier’s much-vaunted planning reforms.
Among the more critical conflicts Mr Stokes will need to address is mining in the Hunter, an issue that is understood to have created tension between Ms Goward and the premier.
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Stokes, 41, admitted he did not ask for the job, but said he was relishing the challenge. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone and I have no illusions about how difficult the role is,” he said.
Mr Stokes said he still held the same views on coal mining as he did back in 2007 when he delivered his maiden speech, that there should be a focus on more sustainable ways of garnering energy. However, the reality was mining was of great economic benefit to the state, he said.
Rob Stokes and Mike Baird often surf together and have been friends since childhood. Picture: Ros Cannon
Mr Stokes said he would tour the communities affected by mining before examining the controversial mining assessment system that was blamed for large swings to the Greens last weekend.
“Mining is development and, I make no bones about it, I am a supporter of ecological sustainable development, and we need to focus on development that can be sustained indefinitely, but there has to be a balance,” he said.
“I have to remain pretty dispassionate about what the system is assessing and ensure that what is being assessed is being done fairly, balancing social, economic and environmental concerns.
“Mining will continue to be a big part of the state’s economy. My task is to facilitate that in a way that also balances environmental and social concerns. I saw the passion in the election, and I will make it a point to visit the affected mining communities. I’ll bum a ride with the premier when he goes.”
Delivering on stalled planning reforms, one of the Coalition’s first-term policy failures, was a key task ahead.
“Mining is development and, I make no bones about it, I am a supporter of ecological sustainable development, and we need to focus on development that can be sustained indefinitely, but there has to be a balance,” he said.
“I have to remain pretty dispassionate about what the system is assessing and ensure that what is being assessed is being done fairly, balancing social, economic and environmental concerns.
“Mining will continue to be a big part of the state’s economy. My task is to facilitate that in a way that also balances environmental and social concerns. I saw the passion in the election, and I will make it a point to visit the affected mining communities. I’ll bum a ride with the premier when he goes.”
Delivering on stalled planning reforms, one of the Coalition’s first-term policy failures, was a key task ahead.
New NSW State Planning Minister Rob Stokes with his wife Sophie, and children Ted, 11, Anna, 9, and Louisa, 6. Picture: Braden Fastier
With a more Coalition-friendly upper house, those reforms have their best chance yet, he said.
Former minister Brad Hazzard attempted to reform the system to allow councils in parts of the state to conduct community consultations at an earlier stage in the development application process, only for proposal to contribute to the bill being blocked in the upper house.
Mr Stokes said he supported the move to remove the “surprise” factor in the community by ensuring any future development was flagged long before the DA arrived.
But people also needed to become more involved in shaping the future of their local community, rather than simply reacting, he said.
He said people needed to get out from behind their computers into community halls to talk about the future.
“No human being gets to stop change, but we do get to shape it. That’s the same for me, too, I don’t get to stop it, but I can help shape it.”
Mr Stokes, who in his maiden speech also criticised the use of the word “eco-friendly” by developers “replacing ecology with concrete” said he wanted to help create a more “just” city where residents in Sydney’s less affluent areas were afforded the same amenities, parks and work opportunities as those in wealthier areas.
Former minister Brad Hazzard attempted to reform the system to allow councils in parts of the state to conduct community consultations at an earlier stage in the development application process, only for proposal to contribute to the bill being blocked in the upper house.
Mr Stokes said he supported the move to remove the “surprise” factor in the community by ensuring any future development was flagged long before the DA arrived.
But people also needed to become more involved in shaping the future of their local community, rather than simply reacting, he said.
He said people needed to get out from behind their computers into community halls to talk about the future.
“No human being gets to stop change, but we do get to shape it. That’s the same for me, too, I don’t get to stop it, but I can help shape it.”
Mr Stokes, who in his maiden speech also criticised the use of the word “eco-friendly” by developers “replacing ecology with concrete” said he wanted to help create a more “just” city where residents in Sydney’s less affluent areas were afforded the same amenities, parks and work opportunities as those in wealthier areas.
LINDA SILMALIS, CHIEF REPORTER, The Sunday Telegraph
April 4, 2015
April 4, 2015
See also Rob Stokes PHD Thesis - The Battle for The Big Backyard
https://pittwateralliance.weebly.com/rob-stokes-thesis---the-battle-for-the-big-backyard.html
https://pittwateralliance.weebly.com/can-rob-stokes-win-the-battle-for-the-big-backyard-phd-thesis.html