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Residents speak out against Sandy Beach subdivision project on Coffs Coast

A group of residents have voiced concerns as developers push for a contentious subdivision at Sandy Beach on the Coffs Coast. Here’s the latest.

The Sandy Beach site flagged for development.
The Sandy Beach site flagged for development.

A group of residents have voiced concerns as developers push for a 113 lot subdivision at Sandy Beach on the Coffs Coast.

Elite Constructions NSW Pty Ltd has lodged a development application (DA) for the residential project between Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour.

The fate of the $13 million low density subdivision lies in the hands of the state Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP).

Development is sought on land between Ti-Tree Road and lot 15 and 17 Pine Crescent, adjacent to Sandy Beach, up to Double Crossing Creek in the north, close to Hearnes Lake.

The DA covers almost 50 hectares of land classified as coastal wetland and littoral rainforest.

Hearnes Lake at Sandy Beach, between Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, is part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Hearnes Lake at Sandy Beach, between Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, is part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Sandy Beach Action Group (Sandbag) has submitted a response to the DA through City of Coffs Harbour council, raising ecological concerns and fears the project could worsen flooding for current residents.

The DA requires 180,000 cubic metres of fill and Sandbag believes there could be impacts on Hearnes Lake, which is a saltmarsh, and that the flood plain could be altered.

Residents have raised environmental concerns and are worried about future flooding.
Residents have raised environmental concerns and are worried about future flooding.

Sandy Beach resident and Sandbag spokesman Peter Quiddington said the group’s concerns about the fill were twofold.

“One, you’re building up the ground right next to houses that already flood quite badly when there are storms. And two, as the works are progressing if there’s a big storm event the fill will wash into Hearnes Lake which is part of Solitary Islands Marine Park,” Dr Quiddington said.

Residents have also expressed concern about animals like koalas, eastern ospreys, white bellied sea eagles, glossy black cockatoos and Wallum froglets, which could be in harm’s way.

Elite Constructions NSW Pty Ltd has not responded to requests for comment.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/coffs-harbour/residents-speak-out-against-sandy-beach-subdivision-project-on-coffs-coast/news-story/bb7e597df92def134cff00e2ce756147