James Creek development: Developer Peter Bell lodged new proposal for James Creek Rd subdivision, near Yamba and Maclean

The gloves are off for this North Coast community, who say plans lodged for a massive new residential development would change the face of their relaxed township and have “devastating” impacts for local farmers.

A 290 lot subdivision proposal (pictured) on James Creek Rd.

The close-knit community of James Creek on the NSW North Coast has long been battling a $39 million development proposal which would more than double the number of houses in the relaxed township.

But now, the gloves are off as the community prepares to take a stand on what they say could be a “devastating” development in the area.

James Creek, located part way between Maclean and Yamba, has historically been a farming community and still remains home to fifth-generation farmers.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there were only 257 people and 95 homes in James Creek in 2021.

The subject site: Lot 104, James Creek Rd, James Creek.

This could soon change: The population of the area will more than double if the most recent development application, lodged by developer Peter Bell, is approved.

The application for a 33ha lot on James Creek Rd, James Creek would pave the way for a 290 lot subdivision, creating space for 281 new homes, a childcare centre and a commercial site.

Plans for this plot of land have been underway for decades, with both the Clarence Valley Council and Northern Regional Planning Panel rejecting previous proposals.

The most recent rejection came last June with the planning panel noting a host of issues including sewerage, stormwater and traffic management.

At the time, the small community celebrated their win, with one local resident writing about her “tears of relief” after hearing the decision.

James Creek residents after the 2023 rejection of the proposal.

But their victory was short lived as a new proposal was lodged less than a year later.

The most recent pitch seeks to address the issues previously raised by creating a 50 metre rural buffer zone, ensuring there is more diversity in housing sizes and including an internal bus route possibility.

Another major addition to the previous plans is that of a childcare centre, with room for 103 children, as well as a neighbourhood park, which would help to create “a stronger sense of place,” plans state.

There are plans for a new childcare centre (pictured).

For members of the James Creek Residents Action Group, these proposed changes do not hold water.

In a statement, the group members said they were “disappointed” with the proposal as it did not address many of the previous issues.

“There is not the necessary social infrastructure and services to support a development of this scale and intensity,” the statement read.

The James Creek Action Group pictured in 2021.

Longtime James Creek resident Lorri Brown added the development would “totally change the character of the area”.

The site is currently surrounded by cattle, cane and macadamia farmers who live to the east and west of the lot.

“The development will be devastating for them, they’re really worried for their livelihoods,” Ms Brown said.

“Things like stormwater run-off … what if it gets in their dams and then the cattle drink it, you can see the ongoing effect.”

Ms Brown has also previously expressed concerns about how the existing road network would handle a large influx of new residents.

“If you have a look at James Creek Rd 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,” she said.

The closest shop to the proposed development is in Townsend, which sits 6.3km away, and the site is 4km away from the nearest public transport.

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