James Creek residents air concerns over development proposal

THE prospect of medium density development in the James Creek area has residents concerned for the future of agriculture and environment in the area.

James Creek residents have told Clarence Valley Council of their concern for the future of agriculture and environment in the area. Picture: Claudia Baxter

THE prospect of medium density development in the James Creek area has residents concerned for the future of agriculture and environment in the area.

In November Clarence Valley Council notified residents of a proposal to alter zoning in the area to support a planning proposal for Lot 104 James Creek Rd.

The council proposes the land be rezoned from RU1 Primary Production to R1 Gen3 Medium Density Residential and B1 Neighbourhood Centre.

The rezoning agrees with the Clarence Valley Local Environment Plan 2011.

The council has extended the submission date for the application after a number of residents said they did not receive the council's letter.

Environment, planning and community director Des Schroder said the council was flexible about this despite nominating December 20 as the cut-off date for submissions.

"It will probably go to the February meeting, so there's time to extend the deadline," he said.

Mr Schroder said the prospect of rezoning the James Creek area had been discussed when the Local Area Plan had been formulated in 2011.

"It was quite heavily debated at the time," he said. "But we've called for submissions and we will accept them for this proposal."

A number of residents believe the rezoning, which calls for small block development on the site, will damage the environment by fragmenting wildlife corridors residents have created.

Resident Ronda Doyle said residents have planted many native trees and plants to attract native animals to the area.

"How can you have a corridor for wildlife with small block development with houses fenceline to fenceline," she said.

She said a council inspector had recently congratulated residents for their efforts in attracting native animals to the area.

"We were congratulated for enticing the white-headed babbler, which are dying out because their environment is disappearing." She said the land proposed for development has already been cleared, which has already affected some of the bird species in the area.

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous until she lodges her submission against the proposal, said there were some worrying aspects to the proposal on the council website.

"They talk about a private sewerage contractor in their report," she said. "How many areas in NSW have privately-owned sewerage? I have done some research and it's not many."

She also said the proposal with the rezoning description of medium density was a concern.

"They're talking about providing services for 3000 people out there."

"That's more than just sewerage, electricity and water. If you have 3000 people out here away from urban infrastructure like hospitals, schools, public transport, churches, parks etc, you have an urban ghetto in a rural area."

Originally published as James Creek residents air concerns over development proposal