A revenue task force, plans for crown land reserves, new residential subdivision in South West Rocks, the public exhibition of the Lower Macleay Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, new fees for using Council-owned electric vehicle chargers, and the cancellation of the September Council meeting due to Local Government elections were on the agenda for the July Council meeting.
Plaques for community assets
A committee will be established that will be responsible for designing signs or plaques associated with major projects delivered by Council. Each plaque or sign would acknowledge the opening date, project funding amounts and sources, name/s of State and/or Federal members who were at the opening, names of elected Mayor and all Councillors, and the committee would also decide on the appropriate wording and other content.
A register of installed sign or plaques with date, location and text will also be created so that records can be maintained.
Residential subdivision planning proposal for South West Rocks
A planning proposal for a 23.97 hectare residential subdivision on Arakoon Road, South West Rocks will be sent to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for gateway consideration. An amendment was made to the original recommendation asking Council staff to work with the consultant to improve the Aboriginal heritage report to meet contemporary standards, community and First Nations people expectations.
Councillors discussed their concerns with the proposed development and the associated documents, including run off and stormwater drainage from the site, an unsatisfactory Aboriginal heritage report, the site's location in a koala zone, and other matters before eventually voting in favour of the recommendation.
The proposal suggests a series of changes to land zonings, lot size, and building heights for the area in question, located at 157 Arakoon Road. As part of that process, Council needs written authorisation from the Minister to make the changes.
If the Minister approves the gateway determination, the next step will be to undertake community consultation on the proposed changes, including a 28-day exhibition period, which will then be referred back to Council to consider any submissions received, before making any amendments to the Local Environmental Plan.
