Controversial Yamba residential development rejected by Northern Regional Planning Panel

An independent panel could not be convinced that a sprawling $48m residential development on the state’s North Coast should be given the green light. Here’s why.

Flooding in Yamba. Photo: The Daily Examiner.

Developers have failed to convince an independent planning panel to give the go-ahead for a controversial multimillion dollar development for 248 residential lots in Yamba.

In making their assessments for the flood prone site on Miles St, the panel “considered the proposal through a risk based lens”.

The Northern Regional Planning Panel, an independent planning panel governing regionally significant development applications, denied the application for the controversial project from the developers, Kahuna 1, on Monday.

In denying the application, the panel cited flood mitigation as a major issue, including the additional fill required to develop the lot, the site being in “a high-risk flood catchment” and community concern and anxiety about the project including flooding issues, insurance costs and isolation from flooding.

The panel received a total of 57 unique submissions objecting to the development.

The panel was also not satisfied that an adequate Acid Sulphate Soils Management Plan for the development had been supplied to the Clarence Valley Council.

The determination panel was not unanimous in refusing the application, however, with three voting against the development they outvoted Penny Holloway who voted against the decision.

Members of the community from Clarence Valley to Yamba, have reacted expressing relief and hope for the future.

Clarence Valley Council Councillor Greg Clancy, who addressed the planning panel as an individual, told The Northern Star the outcome was “a well reasoned decision”.

“I’m hopeful that this is the beginning of the end of flood plain development,” he said.

A member of Yamba Community Action Network, Ms Helen Tyas Tunggal, also expressed the panel’s decision was a sign of the tide turning for development plans on flood plains.

“What’s happened yesterday is history making,” she said.

“The panel have actually listened to the evidence given by the residents of Grevillea Waters, the people that are living right next door to where the development is proposed, who were cut off in the floods last year, and they’re all over, 55 a lot of them don’t drive and a lot of them need medical help.”