‘Victory for common sense’: $22.5m Barrio development goes from five to two storeys

THE FIGHT is finally over for a band of passionate Paradise residents after developer Barrio officially withdrew its plans for a five-storey development.

Developers are looking to build a $22.5 million apartment complex on Gameau Road, Paradise, right next to the Paradise Interchange.

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THE FIGHT is finally over for a band of passionate Paradise residents after developer Barrio officially withdrew its plans for a five-storey development.

Barrio had hoped to build a $22.5 million development including 75 student accommodation units, 28 apartments, a supermarket and a cafe on Gameau Rd.

It had been appealing in the Environment, Resources and Development Court a State Government Development Assessment Commission decision in February, 2017, to reject the plans.

But this month Barrio filed a notice of discontinuance in the ERD Court with plans for the commercial component — including the supermarket, cafe, doctor’s rooms and offices — also axed.

The plan — stage three of the overall project — has now been scaled back to 32, two-storey residential dwellings and one single-storey building.

Resident Kym Tilbrook, who has been a vocal member of a group opposing the development for years, said it was a “major victory” for the community.

“We believe it’s a victory for common sense,” he said.

“What the developer was proposing was completely out of character for this quiet area of Paradise.

“The community has worked hard and tirelessly towards ensuring the developer adheres to the (Campbelltown Development Plan), which is all residents wanted from the very beginning.

“Residents were accused of being anti-development.

“That is not the case.

“We just want developers to follow the rules,” he said.

“The victory shows that when a community unites and stands firm for what it believes is right, the little people can win.”

Campbelltown Mayor Simon Brewer welcomed the move to withdraw the appeal.

“It seems Barrio have finally realised that they can’t push the Council and the residents around to get their own way,” Mr Brewer said.

“I’m glad they’ve seen sense and have withdrawn their challenge.”

“The council welcomes good development that complies with the development plan.”

Barrio director Glen Vollebregt said last week the company was “very pleased” to have negotiated the outcome with the council.

The NorthEastern Weekly reported in March that Mr Vollebregt was prepared to modify his plans from five storeys down to two.

“If our final two-storey townhouse plans receive the necessary approvals by the end of March, we can then withdraw the matter,” he said.

Stages one and two of the project — featuring 14 and 10 two-storey townhouses — are approved and are at different stages of construction.