A new Community Facility located at 15 Sycamore Street, Leeton, was given the green light following thorough review and deliberation by councillors at the December Ordinary Meeting. The resolution will see the property's use change from residential to a community facility for multicultural support services, subject to compliance with a number of conditions relating to hours of operation, accessibility, building upgrades, parking and landscaping.
The DA was brought to Council for determination as a neighbour notification resulted in three submissions opposing the development. Concerns raised by the objectors included additional traffic movements in the vicinity of the subject site, noise disturbance, public safety and loss in property values.
The main point of contention was the hours of operation. After listening to three public speakers and lengthy debate, the Council settled on trial opening hours as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 7.00am – 7.00pm
- Saturday: 7.00am – 7.00pm
- Sunday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Public holidays: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- One Friday or Saturday per calendar month: 9.00am – 9.30pm (maximum 25 people after 7pm)
- Complaints register needs to be kept and any individual complaints to be reported to Council within 48 hours (within two business days)
Mayor Cr George Weston thanked the Councillors for their respectful debate, referring to it as "democracy in action".
