‘Top tier of inappropriate development’: North Lismore Plateau fight continues as application goes public

Developers of the controversial residential and business project have not given up, but the application is once again striking firm opposition.

Will further development at North Lismore Plateau site be stopped again?

The controversial North Lismore Plateau development application is once again striking firm opposition, with one adversary labelling it the worst development for our region “this century”.

A new development application for the residential lot between 55 Dunoon Rd and 8 Sexton Rd was lodged with Lismore City Council by developers RCS Group on behalf of Plateau North Property Group No 1 Pty Ltd the in May and is currently on public exhibition.

It comes after a separate first stage of 430 lots, known as the Winten land was came before the Land and Environment Court last May who ruled the residential estate invalid, citing the property group failed to submit a species impact statement with the development application.

The developers did not contest the ruling, instead lodging a new subdivision application.

Mickey Ryan (right) and his legal adviser Al Oshlack perusing the North Lismore Plateau site. Picture: Cath Piltz

Al Oshlack, researcher and advocate for the Indigenous Advocacy Network, who represents Bundjalung Elders Council chairman Mickey Ryan, said no cultural heritage consultation had been undertaken for the new site.

Particularly, he claimed north and western parts of the plateau development would severely impact significant habitats of threatened species.

“In my opinion this would be in the top tier of inappropriate development on the North Coast this century,” Mr Olshlack said.

“In addition to the unacceptable heritage and environmental impacts, the development will be generating over an extra 10 to 14 thousand car movements a day over some of the worst roads in the shire.”

Plans for the 750-lot residential development at North Lismore. Picture: RCS Group

Early estimates predict the construction will cost $$39 million and according to planning documents, the development is labelled as “the largest single residential development in the history of the city”.

It is anticipated to cater for Lismore’s growth until 2031.

In early November, the Winten Group began remediation work at the earlier site to comply with a council order to prevent environmental damage, which Mr Olshlack said was still part of ongoing court proceedings.

According to the new DA’s planning documents, amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Act were introduced prior to the DA submission which required the proposal to be revisited and reassessed.

“Consultant’s reports have been updated to consider the revised lot layout and reflect the various amendments to the original environmental assessment process” it read.

An archaeological Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Report had also been lodged with council.

Residents have until June 25 to place a submission in regards to the development.