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Media Releases |
Media Release - Department of Planning Sydney: 24 August 2009 LAND RELEASE AT SALTWATER LAGOON DELIVERS HOUSING SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION The release of 100 hectares of urban land at Saltwater Lagoon near South West Rocks will deliver up to 800 residential lots for much needed housing whilst achieving important environmental outcomes, the Department of Planning has announced.
The Department’s Deputy Director General (Plan Making and Urban Renewal), Tom Gellibrand, said that the amendment to Kempsey Council’s local environmental plan (LEP) would help meet dwelling targets set by the Mid North Coast Strategy of 18,300 new dwellings for the Hastings-Macleay Valley subregion.
“There is high regional demand for land for housing and this site has already been identified in an adopted local settlement strategy as one to help accommodate this population growth,” Mr Gellibrand said.
“However, the Government recognises that a coastal settlement like South West Rocks has high ecological value and we are determined that any urban development there will be accompanied by rigorous protection of the local environment.
“The Mid North Coast Regional Strategy identified Saltwater Lagoon as a site for potential residential development, subject to ensuring the area’s high ecological value is conserved.”
Mr Gellibrand said that Council’s rezoning would include around 44 hectares – or 40 per cent of the site – zoned for environmental protection.
“I congratulate Council on this rezoning which will protect the site's important biodiversity, including koala feed trees and endangered Wallum Froglet communities, whilst aiding in the movement of fauna to Saltwater Lagoon,” Mr Gellibrand said.
“The wetland area extending into the site will retain its Wetland Protection zoning.”
A number of issues were raised following public exhibition by Council, including local drainage and the conservation of small Wallum Froglet habitats within the residential zone.
Council has indicated that these issues would have to be addressed at the development application stage, either through a development control plan (DCP) or through the issuing of environmental assessment requirements.
“The DCP will also have to consider the management strategies for mosquito control, preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage and ongoing management of environmental land included in the adopted Saltwater Creek and Lagoon, South West Rocks, Estuary Management Study and Plan,” Mr Gellibrand said.
Council undertook an environmental study on the subject site, including individual assessments and analysis of issues of flooding, archaeology, noise and odour, and stormwater, in order to comprehensively assess the merits of the rezoning.
Mr Gellibrand said that as a result, rezoning on part of the site would be deferred pending further analysis of potential odour impacts of the sewage treatment plant on the residential area, and determination of an appropriate buffer to mitigate such impacts.
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