Speculators and Developers eating away at Taree Coast

Wednesday, 21 November 2001 10:00

TEC campaigner Fran Kelly said Council's latest approval for rezoning on the headland at North Redhead was a major example of council's lack of vision and environmental care. We'll be calling on the Minister for Planning to restore the zoning. "

"The last thing this part of Greater Taree needs is yet another rezoned coastal headland or foreshore allowing more carbon copy developments" Ms Kelly said.

"The rezoning for development at North Redhead will join Blackhead, South Redhead and Diamond Beach together if it goes ahead, and eventually even Tallwoods to the west will join the lot of them, as more and more landowners are allowed to become land speculators" said Ms Kelly.

"This is totally contrary to Council's previous strategy to keep all villages and towns separate. And providing token strips of "wildlife" corridor which aren't wide enough to swing a cat in is not a legitimate way of providing that separation," said Ms Kelly. "What has happened to all the previous plans for putting aside lands of environmental significance and meaningful wildlife corridors?"

"We question whether the council senior planners, managers and councillors that keep stating they are doing everything in the best interest of Greater Taree should have the confidence of the community that has a more balanced and environmentally responsible vision for the region" said Ms Kelly.

"When you add urban development pressure and major rezoning plans further north in Old Bar, Wallabi Point and Harrington Waters to the Hallidays Point developments and rezonings, there isn't a lot left to play with"

"This seems like a matter of council bowing to the greed and demands of out of town and local property developers and others who don't give a dam about the future sustainability of the area"