New Italy service centre proposal refused by Richmond Valley Council
Developers are “bitterly disappointed” by the refusal of their $14.7 million highway service centre between Ballina and Grafton. Here’s why it was knocked back.
Grafton
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Richmond Valley Council has refused a bid for a highway service centre at a North Coast village, saying adverse effects on local traffic were among its concerns.
A proposal for a $14.7 million service centre on the Pacific Highway at New Italy had been lodged by Sydney firm Terra Ferma on behalf of New Italy Holdings.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents show New Italy Holdings is directed by 39-year-old Egyptian-born Sydney resident Diaa Shaker, who is also listed as a director of Terra Ferma.
Richmond Valley Council general manager Vaughan Macdonald said the proposal underwent a full professional and technical assessment to ensure it met relevant NSW Government legislation and planning controls.
Mr Macdonald said while the council ultimately decided on the proposal, the process required input from multiple government agencies.
“Richmond Valley Council had a proactive philosophy to support development, but it had to be in the best interests of the community,” he said.
He said the council’s development assessment panel found the proposal did not satisfy the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Roads Act 1993, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, nor the council’s local environmental plan or development control plan.
He said the application failed “to minimise the risk of harm to the community through the appropriate management of the development and land use”.
“Of concern is the section of road between the proposed highway service centre exit and the motorway is not an approved heavy vehicle route,” Mr Macdonald said.
“Having B-double and B-Triple trucks regularly using this section would put considerable pressure on the Swan Bay New Italy Road and adversely affect local traffic.”
Stormwater, sewage, earthworks and noise impacts were also issues of concern.
He said the application did not provide enough information to satisfy the council’s concerns the issues would not impact the natural and built environments.
Terra Ferma general manager Heba Shaker said the company was bitterly disappointed by the council’s decision but did not wish to comment further.
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