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Disappointing News – Lot 1 East Crescent 14 lot development to proceed

By 23/12/2018Uncategorized

Allen, Price, Scarratt Pty Ltd has applied to Shoalhaven City Council on behalf of the land owner to modify conditions of consent for subdivision of the land known as Lot 1 East Crescent Culburra Beach. An on-site auction of 5 of the 14 lots has been advertised for 12:00pm Saturday 16th February 2019. Development cannot proceed until Council approves the many conditions.

Shoalhaven City Council will be advertising the proposed amendments for public comment.

We are disappointed but not surprised regarding the modification to the 2012 approval by the NSW Land and Environment Court and to auction 5 residential lots because the site is identified in the 2015 Halloran Planning Proposal for environment protection zoning as part of biodiversity offsets for future development west of Culburra Beach.

The Court approved the application despite opposition by Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Lake Wollumboola Protection Association Inc and many residents. The approval reduced the lots from 24 to 14 lots whilst also requiring that part of the site adjacent to Lake Wollumboola be dedicated to Council as a public reserve, thus modifying to some extent environmental and social impacts.

Lot 1 East Crescent is located between East Crescent, Sheepwash Creek and the northern shore of Lake Wollumboola. The Sheepwash creek walking track leads to this peaceful area of native bush and wetland enabling visitors to walk along the northern Lake Wollumboola shore and enjoy stunning views of the lake and its birdlife. The area is culturally significant for the Jerrinja community.

Development will involve clearing of Endangered Ecological Communities, Bangalay Sand Forest and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest and destroy habitat for many threatened species. It is part of the habitat corridor along the lake shore providing a protective buffer between the existing residential area and the lake.

It is also flood prone both from high lake levels and surface runoff and therefore unsuitable for urban development.

We continue to oppose this development because of:

  • likely impacts on the flora and fauna of the site, Lake Wollumboola and Sheepwash Creek.
  • potential for flooding of properties.
  • cumulative impacts on the water quality and ecology of Lake Wollumboola from ground and surface water pollution.
  • cumulative impact of increased medium density development in the catchment of Sheepwash Creek.

We are reviewing the proposed amendments and will keep interested people informed of our recommendations for submissions.

View modification documents on Council’s DA tracking site by agreeing to terms and conditions then entering DS18/1491 in to the search field.