The Bugle 4 July 2015
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa
Is complying with the rules not enough? Last month’s decision by Council to approve Cedar Grove Stage II is the subject of a rescission motion which seeks to defer the decision until every possibility of other access routes have been explored. The rescission motion has been put forward by Councillor Neil Reilly, with the support of Gavin McClure and Warren Steel. All three voted against approving the 100 lot development, and attempted to defer the decision at the meeting. According to Reilly, he lodged the motion for four reasons: • insufficient information provided on alternative entry/exit options. • new information on availability of adjacent land has come to light (not made clear in the report) • the decision should have
been decided by as many councillors as possible (Mark Honey was away) • Overwhelming public discord over safety. The issue with the development centres around the access. The proposal from the developer has the only access through Banksia St, which leads from the roundabout on Jamberoo Rd, just west of the Highway. Concerns are held by residents that the streets are too narrow for the increase of traffic that will come firstly with the construction and then when the traffic using the entrance increases by more than double. “I’m after an outcome that builds better safety,” says Reilly. “I’m not saying it doesn’t comply, I’m saying it could be better. “Just complying with the rules doesn’t always
give the optimal outcome. Sometimes you need a more lateral approach. I think we have the obligation to seek the absolute best out of any development.” Councillor Andrew Sloan, who voted to approve the development along with Kathy Rice, Mark Way and Brian Petschler, believes that the developer has not only complied with all of the requirements, but has made concessions to improve safety and amenity. “I am concerned about the rescission motion because at the moment I can’t see what the legal justification for it is, but I can see the legal implications if we have to go to the Land & Environment Court over it,” he says. “I’ve looked hard and can’t find a precedent.” He sympathises with the affected residents, but
Inside this issue Does Kiama need Neighbourhood Watch p 3
doesn’t believe in giving false hope despite the popularity it may bring. “We need to be consistent in applying the laws so that when we reject an noncompliant development we are on firm ground.” Mike Yalden of the Lipac residents’ action group says the access road is just not wide enough, “With current car to household density in Cedar Grove replicated in the new estate there would be over 440 vehicles using
Banksia Drive as their only access. In peak hour times it could be expected that there would be one vehicle every 12 seconds on that narrow stretch of road.” He says when what is now called Stage I was sold, buyers were told the higher land to the south was to remain rural, and asked to sign documents saying they wouldn’t complain about farming noises or smells. Acting General Manager Bryan Whittaker says that advice has been sought from independent legal counsel and the Office of Local GovWhile some consider this solution is With its pre-construction work having ernment as to whether the started mid June, the NBN expects the technologically inferior, Stevens says rescission motion is lawful “All of our technologies are designed high speed internet capability to be or not. He does not know of to deliver fast broadband to meet the available in our southern villages by previous motion like this needs of internet users, both residential around this time next year. happening. The roll-out is one of first deployand business. Not only are they deThe Notice of Determinasigned to be fast, but they all have ments in NSW of the new Multition (which gives the apTechnology Mix (MTM) model, upgrade paths for the future.” proval subject to conditions) which has replaced the fibre to the Unfortunately, the fibre to the node has already been sent to the home model that saw Kiama, Jambsolution is not extending to the rural developer. eroo and Kiama Downs connected properties between Gerringong and Mr Whittaker said “Stage I some time ago. This new model will Gerroa, even though the fibre will be of Cedar Grove was apsee Gerringong get a fixed line fibre going past their doorways. proved by the NSW DepartThis has already been the situation service to the node, with the existing ment of Planning, with a faced by properties on Jamberoo Rd, cases that one part of the suburb is copper wire to the home/business. complying road layout and whose owners have been told they connected and the other is not, yet,” “The use of MTM is expected to geometry having regard to a save months in construction time in will have to access the NBN via satel- says Ms Stevens. site specific DCP. Foxground and Willow Vale are also each area, and help complete the pro- lite no matter how close their houses “This same road system not included on the map of the new ject sooner and more cost-effectively,” are to the road. meets relevant standard of says NBN spokesperson Kelly “We're rolling the network out in zone shown on the NBN website road width for the proposed (above). Stevens. modules and that can mean in some expansion.”
NBN on the way to Gerringong & Gerroa
Update on hospital redevelopment p 3
Relay for Life Launch Ball p 4
Kiama dons Beanies for Brain Cancer p6
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