Lismore City Council: Monaltrie housing rezoning debate continues

A long-standing proposal to rezone a patch of rural Lismore land for housing, potentially impacting endangered koalas, has been met with fierce debate in a Lismore council meeting.

The fight continues over the rezoning of rural land in Monaltrie, which is a koala habitat.

A contentious proposal to rezone a patch of land at Monaltrie from rural to large lot residential has been met with fierce debate in a Lismore City Council meeting.

Staff opposed the project, which involves the rezoning of almost two square kilometres of land, in recommendations at the meeting on Tuesday.

It’s expected about 100 rural-residential lots would be created over the long term if approved.

They objected to the structure plan and ecology studies and stated the long-standing proposal did not fit in with established council housing and growth strategies.

Staff also raised concerns about the loss and fragmentation of koala habitat important to the regional population of the endangered marsupials.

A patch of land at Monaltrie could be used for housing.

They deemed the Durheim Rd, Monaltrie Lane and Wyrallah Rd proposal unsuitable to progress as it was not included in the Growth and Realignment Strategy 2022.

Landowner Gale Munce told the meeting the refusal was “distressing” because landowners and the council have worked on the proposal for several years.

The rural land would be used for housing if the proposal is approved.

Ms Munce said the recommendation the project should be knocked back was not “fair or reasonable”.

She said the project aimed to balance progress and preserving the natural environment.

“The amended subdivision has been meticulously planned and designed to ensure there will be minimal impact on koala populations in the area,” she said.

“Through innovative planning and collaboration we can create a sustainable community that coexists with our native wildlife.”

Ecologist consultant Damian Lican, formerly with the council, said the Monaltrie proposal acted as an “exemplar” of how wildlife and development could coexist, despite council staff disagreeing.

Lismore councillor Vanessa Ekins told the meeting land banking is a problem when it comes to creating more flood-free housing in the area.

Supporters say the rezoning would contribute to the prosperity of the Lismore area and ultimately result in more housing on flood-free land.

Councillor Andrew Gordon told the meeting the council has been “very good at saying no” for 20 years and should explore alternative options put forward by proponents.

He moved that officers finalise a planning proposal and send it to the Department of Planning for gateway determination, before proceeding to public exhibition.

Officers would report back after the exhibition period.

Councillor Vanessa Ekins said despite there being nearly 4000 housing lots available on flood-free land in the area “we know it’s been land banked and the people that own those developments have been sitting on it for quite some time”.

She said the land proposed for housing was “isolated” and on “core koala habitat”.

The council voted to carry Cr Gordon’s motion and progress the proposal seven votes to four, with Elly Bird, Darlene Cook, Vanessa Ekins and Adam Guise voting against.

A rescission motion has been lodged and the matter will be back at an upcoming meeting.