Development angst

BLACKBUTT residents have been angered by a proposed development at Lot 1001, Albatross Drive, Blackbutt, saying it will have a negative social impact on the lives of existing local residents.

The source of their anger, says local resident Olivera Domazet, is the fact that when they bought their land on the neighbouring development, LandCom imposed a condition of purchase that restricted development to a single dwelling on each lot.

The new development proposes a medium-density development of 24 adjoining residential dwellings with garages and a strata title subdivision.

Residents held a meeting with several Shellharbour Councillors on Saturday December 9 to discuss their concerns, prior to the Development application going before council on Tuesday, December 12.

It seems like a real double standard to us, said Ms Domazet.

We had to pay a security deposit of 20% of the value of the land, which was not released back to us until our single dwelling slab had been laid and approved by Landcom.

We were told that this special condition was put in place to create a quality urban development that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable and to protect the integrity of the Estate Masterplan.

Now we find that across the road from us, on the same estate, a developer is being allowed to build a medium density development.

We believe it is going to devalue the premium price we paid for our properties and will have a negative social impact on our lifestyle in the estate.

We feel like we have been conned.

Crs Don Briggs, Charlie Mifsud, Geoff Rose and Jeff Bailey attended the residents meeting to hear their concerns.

At the Council meeting on December 12, Cr Briggs moved to have the matter deferred, citing the lack of a social impact study on the proposed development, planning and information deficiencies, some safety concerns and existing residents reasonable expectations as grounds for the deferment.

We are expected to approve a Development application, when we dont even know what we are going get, Cr Briggs said.

Cr Briggs was supported in his call to have the matter deferred, with Crs Rose, Mifsud, Bailey, Stewart and Jeffreys joining the debate on behalf of the residents.

Cr Briggs motion to have the matter deferred was defeated 7-6, with the Mayor Cr David Hamilton using his casting vote powers to break the 6-6 deadlock.

Following the loss of the deferment motion, Cr Jeff Bailey put in a Recision Motion,which will see the matter come before Council again in early February.

Commenting on DA after the Council meeting, General Manager Brian Weir said that it was important to leave the emotion out decisions regarding development applications.

In Graham Mitchell, we have one of the best Town Planners in local government, Mr Weir said.

His expert advice is that the development complies with the objectives and provisions of Councils DCP.

As such, leaving the emotion and politics out of it, the DA should be approved by Councillors.

Mayor David Hamilton said that LandCom had commended the developer of the proposed development.

Medium density housing is part of the social infrastructure of Shellharbour City and this development complies with Councils Medium Density Housing DCP, Cr Hamilton said.

As a councillor, I have a responsibility to support compliant Das that contribute to the overall growth of our City.

Thats why I used my casting vote in support of the DA.