Helensburgh & District
HERALD www.helensburghdistrictherald.com.au
Volume 1 #11
DECEMBER 2011
editor@helensburghdistrictherald.com.au
Council Says ‘No’ To Major Residential In 2508 Few issues ever raised for local Government in the Northern Illawarra could eclipse the 7(d) land debate for intensity and longevity. Since the early 1980s there has been a push to develop around 500 new residential house lots in the Land Pooling area and Lady Carrington Estate (South), despite multiple warnings from Council urging prospective buyers to exercise caution, noting the land was not zoned for residential use. Wollongong City Council (WCC) met on November 28 to vote on whether to progress the recommendations of the previous Administrators for these lands around Helensburgh and Otford, or amend the zoning proposals and recommence a new public exhibition process. The outcome of that meeting was a resounding ‘no’ to large scale residential development for Helensburgh and Otford. Councillor Janice Kershaw noted Helensburgh was a “special place” with Councillors agreeing safety for the town in a bushfire threat was a major concern.
The unanimous Council vote against allowing development on the sections of environmentally sensitive land at Lady Carrington Estate and the Land Pooling precint, will come as a blow to some land owners. A week earlier at a Community Information Session held at the Helensburgh Public School hall, the Councillors listened to affected landowners and residents concerned at the implications a new housing development would have on 1500ha of water catchment land and the adjoining National Park. Heading the speakers list at the Helensburgh Information Session was Sylvania Waters resident Alan O’Toole, who claimed to represent 200 7(d) landowners. Mr O’Toole criticised the development opposition and said conservationists were “hiding” behind a website, describing the efforts to block development as “un-Australian” and “anti-progress”. Continued on page 3
Locals Lead Convoy For Kids Page 7
Carols In The ‘Burgh Page 17 Local Fashion Pages 14 & 15
Helensburgh & District Herald 1