Moorebank Marina plan dashed after court decision
PLANS to create a $44 million marina on the banks of the Georges River have been dashed in the NSW Land and Environment Court, but the company behind the project says it hasn’t given up.
Liverpool
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PLANS to create a $44 million marina on the banks of the Georges River have been dashed in the NSW Land and Environment Court, but the company behind the project says it hasn’t given up.
An appeal by Moorebank Recyclers against the proposed development was upheld in the Land and Environment Court in February.
The DA, lodged by Benedict Industries, had been approved in 2016 by the Sydney West Joint Regional Planning Panel.
The company had proposed to build a marina with tourist, recreational and club facilities at 146 Newbridge Rd in a bid to transform the riverfront into a first class recreational area.
Moorebank Recyclers launched the appeal on several grounds including an inadequate contamination assessment by Benedict Industries — including management of landfill gas, asbestos, mercury and leachate — and unacceptable access arrangements to and from the site for construction vehicles.
Benedict Industries co-managing director Ernest Dupere said the court’s decision to refuse consent for the proposal was “disappointing”.
“It’s been approved twice and then invalidated twice on very minor technicalities,” Mr Dupere said.
“I think certainly the community would tell you they’re very disappointed about this decision and were otherwise looking forward to that facility.”
Mr Dupere said his next step would be to meet with Liverpool Council.
“Over the course of this project we’ve spent more than $10 million trying to seek approval for this marina and that’s a very high cost. That’s why I would be loathe to try again unless ... I get strong support from council,” he said.
Liverpool Council’s chief executive Kiersten Fishburn said the council continued to believe in its vision for the Moorebank area.
She said the council’s strategic planning provided for a marina development at the Newbridge Rd site with shoreline recreation along the Georges River — however, “local government strategic planning can only establish a vision”.
“What is ultimately built on the site will be determined by owners and developers, along with consent authorities, including the regional planning panels, the minister, and his/her delegates,” Ms Fishburn said.
“Council continues to believe in its strategic vision for this site and that the development would have contributed positively to the local economy.”
In February, Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller slammed the NSW Supreme Court’s decision to reject a last-ditch appeal by the council against a materials recycling facility to be built by Moorebank Recyclers within 300m of homes in Moorebank.
“We know jobs are important and we have land zoned for industry available in other parts of Liverpool,” she said at the time.
“But council has always believed that land along the Georges River would be better used for residential and recreational purposes.”
Proposals to transform Moorebank from a largely industrial suburb to an area catering for residential and recreational use have had the backing of residents, who say they are disappointed by this latest outcome.
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Moorebank Residents’ Action Group president Fiona Macnaught said it was “another kick in the teeth for the community”.
“We are very disappointed ... it’s a project that fits the area perfectly for the way things are changing in that industrial community,” she said.
“There’s nothing like a marina area anywhere around the Liverpool LGA, so it will bring people in for the purpose of marine activity.”