Representatives of the Corowa Community Action Group (CCAG) and community members addressed the NSW Land and Environment Court virtually on Monday, outlining why continuing with the development in its amended format was not in the best interests of the Corowa community.
The court heard objections from Peter Wright OAM, Aaron Nicholls, Joan Palmer, Phillip Nielsen, Sally Hughes, Robert Pearce and Alan Prentice. Each offered an alternative viewpoint on a range of issues surrounding the development including infrastructure, social, traffic, environmental, and planning issues.
Mr Wright said the development in its current format does not benefit the community in any way and should not be a model for potential developments in the shire moving forward.
“This isn’t about anti-development. It’s about wanting the best possible outcomes for Corowa,” Mr Wright told The Free Press.
“We need variations in block sizes, and we should be using best practice planning and layout. It’s what Corowa deserves.
“Many aspects of Corowa’s future are now in the hands of the court. The impact of this development being approved the way it is, will impact generations to come. It would set an unacceptable precedent for future developments in our shire.”
The development application, in its previous form of a 355-lot subdivision, was lodged with Federation Council in August 2020, and the subsequent assessment and requests for additional information to support an assessment continued until December 22, 2020, when a Class 1 application was lodged with the NSW Land and Environment Court with a claim of deemed refusal of the development application.
Between January 2021 and June 15, 2021, Federation Council and the applicants met in agreed Section 34 conciliation sessions under the Land and Environment Court provisions, in an attempt to see if both parties could reach an amicable decision on the development proposal.
Unfortunately, these sessions were not successful and on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, both parties involved in the proceedings agreed that the Section 34 conciliation should be terminated, and the matter be referred back to the court for a directions hearing.
The NSW Land and Environment Court determined, on August 18, to allow the applicant to rely on amended plans for the Class One Proceedings relating to Development Application 2020/162.
A scaled-down version of the housing proposal was submitted by the developer last month, which among other revised aspects, proposed a reduction from 335 to 306 lots, with an increase in lot widths and parcel areas to be greater than the minimum in DCP (Development Control Plan).
However, objectors were not satisfied with the amendments leading to the Corowa Community Action Group launching a massive campaign urging residents to have their say on the contentious issue. With just two weeks to get the message out, the CCAG distributed flyers across town outlining 10 points of contention encouraging residents to submit a letter of objection to council.
Their efforts resulted in a total of 197 submissions received during the exhibition period, 39 per cent more than the original objection period in 2020.
CCAG member and registered architect Phillip Nielsen said the community’s effort was extraordinary.
“We want to thank everyone who took the time to submit a letter of objection. The response not only increases awareness, but shows enthusiasm and excitement for Corowa’s future,” Mr Nielson said.
“The role of the CCAG is to break down the confusion and complexity of topics relating to development in Corowa and present them in a way that is easy to understand for all residents.
“We have elevated the importance of better community outcomes through economic development, sustainable planning and all those other core matters.
“We have also demonstrated that we have a voice, and we can fight for a better future for Corowa.”
