Coastal Development Councils Face Backlash

Monday, 07 May 2001 10:00

"Resident- based groups are getting more active, new ones are regularly being formed and huge numbers in the community overall are expressing their concern up and down the NSW coast in response to decisions that are clearly in favour of developers at the expense of the community and the environment," said Total Environment Centre campaigner Fran Kelly.

"We are constantly receiving complaints from residents about approvals being given for inappropriate developments regardless of the impacts that development would have on the envirnment and residential amenity," said TEC natural areas campaigner Fran Kelly
"Whether the developments are massive resorts on ocean frontages or housing estates on headlands or around lakes and wetlands the result is the same: The environment suffers, the community is ignored and in the end no one but the developer wins," said Ms Kelly.

"This trend is occurring wherever councils are comprised of a majority of councillors that place vested interests first. The result has been a loss of faith in the planning process and a rise in anger at those councillors who are so blatantly ignoring community concerns," said Ms Kelly.

"Every inappropriate development proposal that is approved is fuelling community anger and action. At the next local government elections that anger will translate into a backlash against those councillors perceived not to represent the community and the environment. The biggest backlashes will be suffered by councillors supporting the most inappropriate developments while simultaneously failing to listen to the community," said Ms Kelly

Ms Kelly listed Tweed, Ballina, Nambucca, Great Lakes, Gosford, Wollongong, and Shoalhaven as the councils causing the most community concern and action. But said there were many others causing concern.

Examples of inappropriate developments along coast that have caused widespread community concern:

Tweed Council - An avalanche of development applications have come before council, and been approved since a pro-development team took control at the last elections aided by major funding, (including more than $65,000 from one developer). Against community and environmental concerns the mayor has pushed for for a Gold Coast airport extension into Tweed, and the Council take over of Cudgen Nature Reserve from the NPWS. Major developments approved include resort and residential "concreting" of coast from Kingscliff to Bogangar, further staged subdivisions for Koala Beach. Proposals being considered by the same team include major development for Crown land at Kingscliff, another 12-18,000 person residential estate and two major marina resorts in Tweed River.
Ballina - approval given to a large headland development at Iron Peg on an inholding surrounded by Crown Land which is contrary to NSW Coastal Policy and has caused enormous community concern. A proposed bike track through littoral rainforest along the coast and large subdivisions also causing huge community concern.
Bellingen, Nambucca and Kempsey - approval of ongoing large subdivisions in coastal zone - eg Scotts Head, South West Rocks and Urunga. Kempsey Shire Council was recently forced to reverse its support for a proposed prawn farm and hatchery following community uproar.
Hastings - recent attempt to push through a 10 storey building at Port Macquarie opposite ocean, and rezoning proposals along the coastal zone around Bonnie Hills and Lake Cathie.
Greater Taree - concerns over subdivision at Old Bar/Wallabi Pt and around Hallidays Pt
Great Lakes Council - major concern in community over loss of natural bushland for large scale development. Include rezoning proposal for North Hawks Nest, huge subdivision and development in Tea Gardens along Myall River, and rezoning of Fame Cove for subdivision. Also subdivision in North Port Stephens
Lake Macquarie - major concern over coastal subdivision - eg at Wallerah .
Gosford - Major community concern (demonstrated in a meeting attended by 600 people recently) against proposed spot rezoning for a massive and obtrusive multi-storey/ residential/retail development opposite the ocean at Terrigal. 2000 letters and petition signatures against proposal.
Wollongong - Huge community concern over subdivision and other development in North Wollongong eg Sandon Point.
Shoalhaven - huge concern over ongoing development proposals and failure to listen to community concerns - eg subdivision and development at Callala Bay, St Georges Basin, Wollomboola, Vincentia and Wollamia.
Eurobodalla -community concern over rezoning of Community land for resort development at Moruya.