Members of the Lake Wollumboola Protection Association are “very pleased” the Department of Planning & Environment has recommended that a proposal for 650 homes west of Culburra Beach be refused.
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President Frances Bray said the association had been fighting against the proposal since it was first lodged in 2010.
“The main issues for us have been the impacts on the natural environment at Lake Wollumboola and Crookhaven River, which are both really natural sensitive environments with important wetlands,” she said.
The proposal, located on the southern bank of the Crookhaven River, covers nearly 100 hectares of land.
Approval was sought for 650 homes, 3.5 hectares of industrial development, tourist accommodation, cafes, restaurants, cycleways, picnic areas and a sports field.
However the Department of Planning and Environment recommended the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) refuse the proposal due to potential for significant adverse impacts on water quality, Aboriginal heritage, and the clearing of over 90 hectares of native vegetation.
“I think it was a very thorough assessment that shows very clearly why the proposal should be refused,” Ms Bray said.
“The department found the application was scientifically uncertain and and couldn’t reach a beneficial impact which was the standard set for the development.”
The department’s executive director for Key Sites and Industry Assessments, Anthea Sargeant, said after careful consideration the West Culburra site was found to be unsuitable for urban development of this scale, and could have a negative impact on water quality.
“The Department appointed an independent water quality expert to assist in its assessment of the proposal. After careful consideration, the Department was not confident that stormwater from the development could be adequately managed to avoid serious impacts on the Crookhaven River estuary and the catchment of Lake Wollumboola, oyster aquaculture and protected wetlands,” she said.
Ms Bray said she, and other members of the Lake Wollumboola Protection Association, were not against development at Culburra Beach, but rather were concerned about the location of developments.
“We do not oppose all development,” she said. “What we are trying to do is ensure the environment is protected long-term for the benefit of our young people in the area.”
The IPC will next make a determination about the proposal based off the Department of Planning & Environment recommendation.
“I do hope it is a public hearing and that we can get some finality by the end of the year,” Ms Bray said.
The department is also considering a planning proposal lodged by the Halloran Trust in 2015, that covers 1680 hectares of land including the West Culburra site, as well as areas in Callala and Currarong.
The Planning Proposal seeks to rezone the land for residential, commercial, industrial, recreation and environmental purposes and is supported by strategic planning and detailed environmental studies.
Ms Bray said the group was not opposed to this proposal.
“We think its a much better process to make decisions about Culburra Beach and also Callala for the protection of our sensitive and beautiful waterways,” she said.
“[However] we do think there needs to be a complete rethink about what areas need to be protected and which are available for development.”
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
