North coast threatened by development land grab

Thursday, 20 December 2007 20:58

The Regional Alliance for Sustainable Planning is shocked by the “land grab” released by Planning Minister Sartor under the auspices of the Mid North Coast Regional Strategy.

The amount of land identified for future residential development within the Strategy is more than twice that required to accommodate the Departments’ projected population increases within a region stretching from the Clarence Valley to Port Stephens.

Some of the most astounding areas of inclusion in this planning exercise are North Arm Cove in the Great Lakes area, Bonville in the Coffs Harbour area, and West Yamba near Grafton. he Department of Planning has estimated that over the next 25 years enough new release land for 35,000 new homes will be required in Mid North Coast. However the Draft Strategy put on public display by the Government identifies enough land for over 70,000 homes!

Director of the Total Environment Centre Jeff Angel whose organisation is assisting local groups respond to the Strategy said the Draft was disappointing. ‘We want people to be aware at this time of year when they are enjoying their favourite holiday places on the Mid North Coast – that this Draft Strategy will significantly detract from all the things our community values about the Coast. The clean water, the clean air and the wildlife will be adversely affected by this massive land grab by the property industry, given official status by the NSW Government.’

Mark Graham from Bellingen Environment Centre said ‘This Strategy will exacerbate the ugly sprawl of Coffs Harbour and impact significantly on important wildlife habitat.'

Helen Tyas Tunggal from Valley Watch said 'The inclusion of flood prone areas susceptible to sea level rise in West Yamba and other locations are unacceptable to the local community.'

Jacqui Keats from the Great Lakes Environment Association said "The inclusion of over 700ha at North Arm Cove for risky development will destroy important habitat and constitute a scattered pattern of development which is unsustainable.'

Penny Marshall from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Residents Action Network said 'We are very concerned at the amount of forested land being proposed to be released for housing in the Hastings area. It is obviously an oversupply in comparison to what will be required for sensible growth.'

Mr Angel went on to say; ‘We are assisting local community groups understand the scale of development proposed by the Draft Strategy and make submission by February 8th 2008. We encourage everyone to look at the maps on the Departments' website and contact the TEC for more information.’ Mr Angel said.