Angst over DA

BALARANG and Oak Flats residents say their concerns over a proposed development are falling on deaf ears at Shellharbour City Council.

They claim the development will cause excessive noise, anti-social behaviour and potential flooding.

A vacant lot located on the other side of New Lake Entrance Road, opposite Shellharbour City Plaza is cited for an expansive development set to include a fast food restaurant, car wash, bulky goods warehouse and office space.

One resident Peter Coleman said one of the buildings in the Development Application put before Shellharbour Council will be nine metres high with windows overlooking his backyard.

"I have a pool in the backyard and a daughter who has friends over all summer to use the pool. I don't want our privacy compromised in this way," he said.

Other nearby residents will be similarly affected by the height of the proposed buildings.

Mr Coleman said with no entry to the completed site off New Lake Entrance Road residents will be forced to deal with a constant flow of noisy traffic at all hours of the evening.

Another resident, Stan Smith, said his greatest concern is the dust and noise that will be created during the construction period.

Nick, Sharon and their young son Alex Perogamvrakis have been in the area for four years and say to see the possibility of such a development is ludicrous.

Mr Perogamvrakis said a car wash in such proximity to houses would create pollution which would settle in people yards and potentially cause damage to cars, washing hung on the line and residents themselves.

Residents have also expressed their concern over a lack of consultation between council and themselves saying numerous letters have been sent to Shellharbour Council officers with minimal reply.

They are concerned as to how the developers came to acquire the land right up to their back fences saying they believed the footpath area was council land and could not be sold off.

A council spokesperson confirmed the footpath behind the properties was originally contained in a road reserve which was subsequently closed. They confirmed all of the land was owned by Landcom, who sold the property.

Shellharbour Council Manager Development Services, Graham Mitchell, said the Development Application can either be put before councillors for a determination or can be dealt with by council officers under delegated authority.

A council spokesperson confirmed the matter will go to council for a determination

The spokesperson said council has received an application for a fast food outlet, bulky goods showroom and a car wash.

"The DA is currently being assessed by council staff. All proposed uses are permissable with the consent of council," they said.

"Adjoining residents were notified about the DA, in accordance with our notification DCP. As part of that process, any submissions received are acknowledged and are taken into account as part of the assessment process.

"At the conclusion of the assessment period, the matter will be reported to Council for a determination and objectors will be notified of a date and time and will be advised of their opportunity to address Councillors on the matter in Public Participation."