Council rejects meditation centre

THE controversial development applications for a Rosebank meditation retreat and associated landsharing community were unanimously refused by Council.

THE controversial development applications for a Rosebank meditation retreat and associated landsharing community were unanimously refused by Lismore City Council on Tuesday night.

Council staff recommended rejecting the proposal citing the upgrade of Rosebank's Fox Rd and associated tree removal - necessary to accommodate the size of the development - as having an unacceptable environmental impact.

They also reported the failure of the proposal to address a number of environmental issues including sewage management, bushfire risk, impacts on flora and fauna and several questions arising from the 'bulk, size, and scale' of the development.

A large contingent of Rosebank residents, several who voiced opposition to the proposal during public access time, were visibly relieved after the decision.

Rosebank resident and neighbour Mal Fox said the size of the development along the cul-de-sac was 'ridiculously huge', and not in keeping with the environmental constraints of the area.

"If a bushfire was to start in this development it would cut Fox Rd residents off from their only escape route," he said.

Planning consultant for the retreat's developers, Damian Chapelle expressed disappointment in council staff, who he said introduced critical issues with the developers as late as June 6.

He requested a deferment so these issues could be properly addressed.

But a number of councillors spoke against deferring the development application, including Cr Simon Clough who emphasised the longstanding issue of wastewater management which had not been addressed by developers.

Mr Chapelle said his clients were "reviewing what avenues we have to realise the proposals in the future".

Originally published as Council rejects meditation centre