Elderly Dubbo man John Cohen hits out over possible council land acquisition

An elderly man, who is suffering serious health issues, is determined to fight for his property after a future infrastructure plan revealed his home could be acquired by a NSW council.

John Cohen, 77.

An elderly central west man suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is facing the prospects of years in limbo — after a council vision to acquire his property for a future transport route was revealed.

Bunglegumbie Road resident and previous Brewarrina councillor John Cohen has hit out over the council plans, which could see his property sliced in two and impact resale value.

Mr Cohen received correspondence from Dubbo Council in November 2022, regarding the North-West Precinct Plan.

The plan also included a map detailing the possible construction of a road through his property as part of an infrastructure project dubbed the Dubbo Transportation Strategy, raising alarm bells for the elderly resident.

A map of the northwest precinct. The line inside the circle is the proposed road through John Cohen's property.

Mr Cohen contacted council raising concerns over the inclusion of a road through part of his property, however, the 77-year-old told The Dubbo News he was assured the road wasn’t expected to be built “for the next 20 years”.

The elderly resident said he was “concerned” about the financial impact of the development, as he will have less land to generate income from and the partial acquisition could result in a decreased land value.

“I have a driveway around the house and people would drive all the way up and around the house quite often,” he said.

Mr Cohen said he also fears that council’s possible acquisition of a portion of his land will impact the natural landscape, increase stock theft and other crimes in the area and increase noise pollution.

He said his daughter was forced to install gates on the property to reduce the number of people entering the premises illegally, but expects a crime increase once a road is developed.

John Cohen's property on Bunglegumbie Road.

John Cohen's property on Bunglegumbie Road.

In a previous experience, Mr Cohen said he has had his dogs and sheep killed.

“I’m sick of people coming onto my property,” he said.

“I don’t want any trouble - I just don’t want a road.

“Safety is a concern”.

Council’s infrastructure acting director Chris Godfrey said the current strategy was “put in place” in response to the state’s investment in the River Street bridge “to optimise public and private investment and to maintain Dubbo as a competitive community”.

John Cohen's neighbour Michael Morandini showing his support.

“The strategy is a living document, subject to further review and changes as the city evolves into the future,” Mr Godfrey said.

“The Western Distributor Road alignment outlined in the Dubbo Transportation Strategy 2020 is not being considered as part of the North-West Precinct Plan.

“Further planning, refining of locations and detailed public consultation will occur before the road is considered for development.

“Council currently has no adopted time frame for this project.”