THE former NSW Labor heavyweight Michael Easson has asked the state government's permission to build 11-storey apartment blocks in an area where the council has prohibited high-rise development.
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The former secretary of the NSW Labor Council is a director of EGC Custodian Services, which has lodged an application with the Department of Planning to build 270 apartments in towers of up to 11 storeys on land in North Ryde, which is zoned for ''low density'' residential use.
The proposal, which is valued at $101 million, is being assessed under ''state significant'' Part 3A planning laws, which allow certain developments, including those valued over $100 million, to be determined by the minister for planning and not the council.
This week the Independent Commission Against Corruption recommended private sector Part 3A applications that far exceed local guidelines be assessed by an independent body called the Planning Assessment Commission.
The EGC proposal does not meet the existing criteria for assessment by the PAC, so could be determined by the minister.
The Liberal MP for Ryde, Victor Dominello, said there was a ''real stench'' around the proposal, and that it would be inappropriate for a Labor minister to assess it given Mr Easson's background.
''It could all be above board but the perception is not right,'' Mr Dominello said.
A spokesman for the minister, Tony Kelly, said last night he would send it to the PAC once submissions on the proposal, which is on exhibition until December 31, had been received.
Mr Easson, who is a director of the property group, said higher density development within 10 minutes walk of the new stations on the Epping to Chatswood rail link made sense.
Mr Easson said the company had been open with the community and had engaged an award-winning architect, Angelo Candalepas. "Increasing the supply of housing within walking distance of the station is good public policy," Mr Easson said.
Around 60 residents attended a meeting to protest the development last weekend.North Ryde has a lower concentration of apartment blocks than most of its surrounding suburbs; detached houses account for more than 80 per cent of dwellings in the area.Mr Easson said he would be happy for the project to be assessed by the PAC.
Correction: Earlier versions of this story should have said that a development application for apartment blocks in North Ryde was lodged by EGC Custodian Services, of which Michael Easson is a director.
