”You cannot remove Part 3A without introducing alternative arrangements for state and regionally significant development. It is inconceivable that any government would wash its hands of projects important to either the state, or a region within it,” Gadiel says.

In the vacuum of opposition policy, with a system that even the Planning Institute of Australia says is not achieving its objectives, what is the answer to the state’s planning mess?

The councils want planning powers back, and say that all reasonable development will be approved. The ICAC recommended the Planning Assessment Commission takes over most of the minister’s Part 3A powers over private developments and becomes a permanent, quasi-judicial body. The Greens want something similar. But the party most likely to lead the next NSW government will scrap Part 3A and then have a system-wide review.

In Catherine Hill Bay, the residents fear an approval slipping through before the government is tossed out in March. But they have little faith that the other side will do differently. Pressure points

BARANGAROO, Lend Lease: The large and complex commercial and residential development’s most controversial elements, including another increase in total floorspace and the hotel on the harbour, was approved last month.

HUNTLEE NEW TOWN, LWP Property Group: A planned town of 20,000 on a bush site in the Hunter Valley that the department’s own planners had previously ranked as the least suitable site for development in the lower Hunter. The concept plan was approved just before Christmas.

40 WALKER STREET, RHODES, Billbergia: Five towers of up to 25 storeys, with 736 apartments, with plans on exhibition over the holidays in a move protesting residents say seems designed for minimum public input.

SANDON POINT, Stockland: A staged development of about 260 dwellings and aged care on land previously occupied by an Aboriginal tent embassy, between Thirroul and Bulli, north of Wollongong. Construction is under way.

TILLEGRA DAM: Controversial dam project for the central coast was declared ”critical infrastructure” by the government but the community backlash was so strong the government ditched the plan in November.

BOCO ROCK WIND FARM, Boco Rock: A $700 million, 122-turbine wind farm near Nimmitabel on the Monaro Plains, 50 kilometres east of Kosciuszko National Park, was approved in August.