James Creek subdivision submissions extended to January 2022

An extension on submissions may have been granted, but the action group opposing a 330-lot subdivision say it’s still not enough time to build their case against the development.

James Creek residents fighting a 330-lot subdivision have been given a five-week reprieve.

The proposal at Lot 104 James Creek Road, James Creek, if approved by Clarence Valley Council, would see 327 residential lots, one commercial lot and two open-space lots created.

However, residents are opposing the development due to a lack of adequate infrastructure to support the influx of people that proposal would bring.

Clarence Valley Council confirmed with the James Creek Action Group in late November that the deadline for submissions regarding the development proposal has been extended from December 10, 2021 to January 14, 2022.

“We’re really grateful about the extension but it’s still not enough time for us to prepare,” Action Group spokesperson Helen Robertson said.

“We’re looking at all the legislation, decisions made by NSW Planning and previous council decisions with the goal to put it all together as one big submission on behalf of the Action Group.”

This week, a small cohort from the Action Group met with the council for preliminary discussions about the development application, including issues surrounding stormwater run-off and the current state of the road.

“We want to make sure that this moves forward in the right way and that council uphold their decisions made in 2014 when rezoning of the area first took place,” Ms Robertson said.

“We’re not against the development of the area, all we want to ensure is that the development is done with appropriate infrastructure in place.”

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 regarding adequate zoning and infrastructure to the semi-rural suburb prior to allowing significant development.

Included in the determination is the council demonstrating adequate transport and pedestrian access prior to large-scale developments, which the James Creek Action Group say is non-existent.

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

“We’ve contacted the developer, contacted the planner, and the planner refuses to have any discussion with us about these issues unless it’s under advice of developer, but how do you do that when the developer just ignoring us?” Ms Robertson said.

“It’s the responsibility of everyone involved to do this right.”

Clarence Valley Council director of Environment and Planning Adam Cameron said the development is classed as a Significant Development as it has a capital investment value of over $30 million.

“When finalised, council staff will provide a recommendation and assessment report to the Northern Regional Planning Panel including copies of all submissions for their consideration and determination,” he said.

Residents and community members now have until January 14, 2022 to share their thoughts with Clarence Valley Council on SUB2021/0042.