Alstonvale wedding venue proposal deemed by neighbours as ‘extremely dangerous’

Outraged neighbours of a proposed wedding venue on the Alstonville Plateau are concerned about the development’s impact on traffic and noise, and say it will not benefit their community.

The site owner’s had proposed to turn the farm into a temporary wedding venue. (AAP Image/Alan Porritt) NO ARCHIVING

A Northern Rivers macadamia farm is seeking approval to kickstart a wedding venue, but not all residents think it’s a good idea, with some neighbours labelling it “extremely dangerous”.

Documents tabled by an Alstonvale farm at 475 Pearces Creek Rd reveal owners have asked Ballina Shire Council for the temporary use of land as a function centre for five years to host wedding ceremonies.

The development application also includes the establishment of a jetty at the 8.46ha property.

Since submitting the application, the council has received eight applications from nearby landowners.

Many residents opposed the application, on the basis of traffic and sound concerns.

According to the application, guests would arrive and leave via shuttle buses.

However Richard Billson said the the road itself was difficult to traverse, especially with what was considered a blind corner turning lane beside the property.

“The junction of Pearces Creek Road and Sneaths Road is extremely dangerous with lack of vision in all directions,” he wrote.

“Proposed traffic movements across the junction and back out onto Pearces Creek Road will increase the danger of the intersection.”

He said it was an application “spectacularly lacking in detail and coherence” as he urged council to listen to ratepayers.

“I believe that the planning department at Ballina Shire Council have a responsibility to scrutinise this type of application more thoroughly before putting them on exhibition,” Mr Billson wrote.

“This should have been questioned by planners before stressing out ratepayers with this worrying application.”

The site plan for a development application for a temporary wedding venue and function centre at 475 Pearces Creek Rd, Alstonvale.

Resident Simon Lean also noted the property sat at the head of a small valley “described as an amphitheatre” and the venue had the “potential to change the amenity of the valley”.

It was a concern Shane Lochrin and Leonie Peeters agreed with.

“I note on the DA that an acoustic report has been submitted. I am not sure how the company has obtained their results as sound travels a long way in our valley,” they wrote.

“It’s bowl shaped and the dam for the ceremonies is at the bottom of the bowl.

“We very often can hear our neighbour’s transistor radio, who is a further 500 metres up the road from the proposed function centre.

“In the nine or so years we have lived at our address we have often commented on just how far the sound travels. The area is a mix of farming land and hobby farms and as such a lot of work is often done on the weekends

“Not wanting to spoil someone’s special day, should we be expected to check if there is a wedding on?”

Resident Fiona Grose was also worried about impact on local businesses.

“There is no benefit for the broader Alstonville or Alstonvale community. The transport is being provided by a Casino company, the guests will be transported up from the Byron Shire and no doubt the caterers, photographers, florists etc will all be sourced from the Byron Shire. Alstonvale has to deal with all the negative outcomes while businesses outside of the community reap the benefits,” she said.

“I am totally opposed to any development of the this type, even on a so called temporary basis, which will impact on our ability to carry out a farming enterprise and which will also impact our lifestyle with noise and traffic congestion.”

The council is yet to make a final verdict on the application.