The meeting will discuss overdevelopment in the Hunter Region and the environmental, social and traffic problems that come with it.

Ms. Hale will deliver a presentation on “what is wrong with the NSW planning system and how to fix it”.

“The Hunter is being pressured to squeeze in thousands more houses, apartments, mining and commercial developments over the next decade while the State government is deregulating planning controls,” Ms. Hale said.

The pressure on local infrastructure is immense and people will pay for overdevelopment with increased noise and air pollution, reduced open space and traffic gridlock.”

Local Councillors James Ryan and Chris Parker will give a quick overview of the scale of developments proposed in the Cessnock LGA.

Ms. Hale will also be discussing privatisation issues and the impact it has on our local community, particularly prison privatisation.

“There has been a failure to adequately consult the local community on both the planning and privatisation issues,” said Cessnock-Kurri Greens convenor Tim Plater.

“We encourage local community groups and individuals who are interested in these issues to come along to an informative evening.”

The meeting will be held in the Senior Citizens room at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre on Monday night at 6.30pm.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Tim Plater on 0408 750 571 or Chris Holley on 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546.