| |
|
|
|
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 15 September 2009 TRINITY POINT MARINA APPROVED WITH SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today announced concept plan approval for a significantly amended $85 million tourism, residential and marina development at Trinity Point, Lake Macquarie. Ms Keneally said the proposed concept plan had been through a thorough, rigorous and transparent assessment process by Lake Macquarie City Council and the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC). “This $85 million development will create a lively new foreshore precinct, supporting around 765 construction jobs and 60 full time operational jobs,” Ms Keneally said the approval involves: • 188 marina berths and associated workshop and club facilities, to be built over two stages; • 150 accommodation units – of which no more than 50 per cent will be permanent residential; • Restaurant, café, function centre, shops and office; and • Parking, landscaping and boardwalk. “The original concept plan underwent considerable amendment in response to community feedback and thorough scrutiny by Council,” Ms Keneally said. “A proposed helipad was removed from the proposal, and building heights for buildings within and outside the village piazza were reduced by up to two storeys. “The number of marina wet berths was also reduced from 308 to 188, and marina construction will now take place in two stages. “Commencement of the second stage will only occur if the first stage meets strict standards of environmental performance, and if demand meets expectations. “This staged approach is designed to ensure any impacts on the water quality of Bardens Bay are minimised.” Ms Keneally said her decision to send the proposal for review by the PAC was due to the complex nature of environmental concerns as well as donations by the proponent. “To ensure the community, council and proponent were provided with certainty and transparency I asked the PAC to review the project before I made any determination,” Ms Keneally said. “The PAC provided an additional level of scrutiny, and found the proposal and the amendments and conditions placed on the plans were reasonable.” Ms Keneally said the Trinity Point development will support the expanding economic role of the Lower Hunter, whilst ensuring that the important ecological values of Bardens Bay are conserved. “It will also be an important site to progress future growth and development of Morisset, which is identified as an emerging regional centre in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy,” Ms Keneally said. “At the same time, this is a sensitive coastal area, so the amendments that have been made to the proposal will ensure future development on this site is sympathetic to its environmental values. “Future development applications for land based projects will be assessed by Lake Macquarie City Council, and depending on the nature of these applications may be determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel. “Applications for the marina and associated buildings will be dealt with by the NSW Government in consultation with Council. “This process will ensure consistency in decision making across other marina development proposals on the lake.”
|