Criticism that plans to open up Merrylands and Wentworthville town centres to development were ill-considered have been rejected by Holroyd Council.
‘‘Whatever happened to Holroyd Council?’’ councillor Mark Pigram asked last week.
‘‘This council is planning the structural reformation of two suburbs, however, like children at playschool all they have prepared is crayon drawings with buildings.’’
Cr Pigram alleged the council had not completed the required environmental effect studies, nor considered flood effects, transport and traffic, residential needs, the capacity of schools or community and childcare centres.
He further alleged that the council’s public consultation period had not been adequate.
“I encourage the community to write to the mayor expressing their concern that council is attempting to push these proposals through in the final days of this destructive and negative chamber,’’ he said.
A spokeswoman for the council said Cr Pigram’s accusations were ''irrelevant and not factual''.
The draft plans that would increase building heights in Wentworthville to 15 storeys, and up to 20 storeys in Merrylands, had been developed after community consultations dating back to 2010, she said.
Environmental effects statements, as referred to by Cr Pigram, were only applicable when a development application had been lodged by a developer, the spokeswoman said.