Housing Plan Spurs Debate

Newcastle Herald

Thursday March 8, 2007

By PAUL MAGUIRE

CESSNOCK City Council will exhibit for public comment a rezoning proposal for about 4000 homes at Bellbird North despite issues of flooding, vegetation removal, public transport and a planning agreement being unresolved.

A report to last night's council meeting by consultant planner Neil Selmon said the matters could be sorted out by consultation with developers.

The subdivision, proposed by the Johnson Property Group and associated developers, has been identified as a major growth area in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy and Cessnock's citywide settlement strategy.

Developers want an "average yield" of between 12 and 15 dwellings a hectare, which is higher than Cessnock's subdivision tally.

If approved, the subdivision will result in between 3468 and 4335 new houses on the 496-hectare site.

Greens councillor James Ryan called unsuccessfully for the plan to be deferred until flood and traffic studies were completed, a location was settled for a school and a voluntary planning agreement was reached between the council and developers.

Cr Bob Pynsent, Labor, described Cr Ryan as obstructionist and told him not to stand in the way of population expansion which could attract better services to the Cessnock area.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home