Eastwood Estate in Goonellabah refused by Lismore City Council

A stand against a potentially lethal estate to Lismore’s furry natives has been knocked back again, as protesters stand up for the ‘vulnerable and the voiceless’. See why the development was refused >>

A controversial estate labelled a ‘koala killer’ has been voted down again before Lismore City Council after rousing opposition.

The motion to reverse the council refusal against Eastwood Estate on Invercauld Road was defeated in a 7/3 vote, with councillors Andrew Gordon, Steve Krieg and Andrew Bing voting for the development.

The council heard the developers McCloy Group had altered the plan since it was knocked back in June due its proximity to a koala breeding corridor.

Additions included relocating the stormwater basin and the reduction of culling koala feed trees from 32 to 4 and reducing the number of lots from 203 to 198.

However, the amendments weren’t enough to deter a throng of vocal koala protectors.

Burribi the koala sat silent during their public access statement against the Eastwood Estate, here with Councillor Vanessa Ekins who voted against the development. Picture: Vanessa Ekins Facebook

One of the most stunning ‘speakers’ was those who said nothing at all.

Burribi, dressed in a full koala costume, used his public access time to stay completely silent in a symbol of the “voiceless” creature.

Friends of the Koala spokeswoman Alison Kenny said the development was “well and truly” in the koala planning area.

“The change McCoy Group made to the original DA will have a definite and longstanding negative impact to koalas,” she said

“In fact, we believe this will be the end of our Goonellabah koalas.

“It’s time this council stood up and protected the vulnerable and the voiceless, the unique biodiversity we share this area with. “

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) spokesman Sean O’Shannessy said if council approved the development they would be forever remembered for their actions.

“If we cut down one single (koala feed tree) in Lismore we will bare the shame,” he said.

“Those of you who vote for this shameful development will be responsible for creating the koala killer estate in this town and that’s what you will be remembered for.”

The proposed development would have seen 198 residential lots built in Goonellabah.

McCoy Group had also lodged an appeal before the Land and Environment Court prior to coming to argue a recission, the council heard.

Adrian Zakaras, who was speaking on behalf on the developer as they had Covid, said the Class 1 Action was due to time frames.

“They want to work with council, they don’t want to go to court,” he said.

Councillor Andrew Gordon was the only one to speak in support of the development, noting the changes to the development since it was refused.

“They’ve resubmitted some information … and it’s supported by staff,” he said.

“I think we’ve met our obligation to (the opposition) … we now have an obligation on the developer to discuss that reply and then judge it on its merit.”

Councillor Vanessa Ekins said she had received nearly a hundred emails and phone calls in opposition to the “inadequate” development.

“This is our opportunity to say it’s not good enough, go back,” she said.

“It just smacks of greed to me and it seems like the developer can work better with our environment and come up with a much better development that supports a koala population.

“If we just roll over now, we’re just going to get more second rate developments in our LGA and we’ve got something to be proud of – a free living population of koalas. How many towns in Australia have that?”

Many took issue with the late-stage modifications to the development and insufficient information.

Other councillors like Big Rob and Darlene Cook took up opposition with the imminent court action.

“I am concerned that the developer’s answer to our offer to have a chit-chat to them about clarifying some of the issues was ‘see you in court’,” Ms Cook said.

“They’ve lodged an appeal against the refusal, it’s a challenge to these councillors as to whether we’ll knuckle under pressure.

“I don’t like that Mr Mayor. I don’t like threats from developers.

“I would have probably voted for this rescission if you had reported to us that they were going to sit down and lodge a formal new DA in its entirety.

“What they’ve done is through a whole pile of short reports together.”