A Growing Planning Revolt In Sydney?

"Professor Peter Newman, whose appointment as the New South Wales Sustainability Commissioner was announced to great fanfare in April 2004, received a call from the Planning Minister, Frank Sartor, on Thursday to say his services were no longer required.

But Dr Newman, whose role involved reviewing all of the Government's plans for land releases and developments in Sydney, did not leave his post without firing a parting shot at "anti-planning" factions within the State Government, including the new Treasurer, Michael Costa.

...His dumping comes three months after Mr Sartor said he was reviewing the role of Professor Ed Blakely, the metropolitan strategy's convener. Dr Blakely, a world planning expert, has criticised the Government for its lack of focus."