James Creek residents concerned over lack of infrastructure

The James Creek Action Group say they are in favour of developing their suburb, but only on the condition one glaring problem is fixed.

James Creek residents are gearing up for another fight to overturn a large residential subdivision - at least until the suburb receives adequate infrastructure.

On Monday residents gathered near the proposed 327-lot site owned by Kahuna No 1 Pty Ltd to discuss the potential negative impacts of the development on current road infrastructure.

“If you have a look at James Creek Road itself, it’s narrow, there’s no line marking, no footpath, you have to walk over drains; so you can only imagine how dangerous it will be with kids trying to walk to school with hundreds more cars on there,” resident Lori Brown said.

“We know (the lot) is going to be developed and we’re open to that, but we want to see it responsibly and sustainably developed.”

While James Creek forms part of the Mid-North Coast Regional Strategy 2006-2013 for future urban release, in 2011 a Gateway Determination was made by NSW Planning and Infrastructure about adequate zoning and infrastructure to the semirural suburb prior to allowing significant development.

A new application (SUB2021/0042) for a 327 residential lot subdivision in James Creek has been submitted to Clarence Valley Council.

Included in the Determination is council demonstrating adequate transport and pedestrian access.

While the proposed DA fulfils those requirements with footpaths and four allocated bus stops inside the subdivision, resident Helen Robertson said it will further exacerbate ongoing infrastructure problems outside the lot where Council have failed to provide pedestrian access in the first place.

“The closest shop is Townsend shop which is 6.3km away and the closest bus stop is on the western side of the Harwood Bridge,” she said.

“To get there, that requires walking up James Creek, either through snake-infested grass, or on the road, then walking across the exit off the motorway to the bus stop.”

Spokesperson and resident Helen Robertson along with members of the James Creek Action Group who are opposing the Kahuna No 1 Pty Ltd subdivision.

According to the 2020 James Creek Urban Growth Infrastructure Developers Contribution Plan, developers are required to contribute to major upgrades to the area, including road widening, an intersection upgrade at Yamba Road and James Creek Road, and improving road accessibility during flood.

“However, these requirements for upgrades are not enforceable until 2030, 10 years down the track,” Ms Robertson said.

“We must address emphatically that these upgrades take place before stage one of this development, not 10 years after.”

The applicant for this development application and Clarence Valley Council have been contacted for comment.