People power fight against “development bonanza”
Councillors, community advocates and residents swamped the Camden Local Planning Panel meeting at Oran Park this afternoon, concerned that approval of a two storey commercial building would launch a “development bonanza” in Camden.
Councillors, community advocates and residents swamped the Camden Local Planning Panel meeting at Oran Park this afternoon, concerned that approval of a two storey commercial building would launch a “development bonanza” in Camden.
The $2.6 million proposed development would feature a cafe and eight commercial spaces on a 1ha Elizabeth St site.
A number of heritage items, including Nepean House, are located nearby.
The building, which would include two stories and an attic, would stand at 10.1m, 44 per cent above the current height limit.
The commercial building received more than 40 objections from the community when placed on public exhibition on two occasions.
Camden councillors Cindy Cagney and Eva Campbell spoke against the proposal at the Camden Local Planning Panel meeting, with Cr Paul Farrow and Camden MP Peter Sidgreaves joining the crowd of more than 35 people in attendance.
Cr Campbell said the proposed building had no architectural merit and was a “gross overdevelopment of the site”.
“Councillors, community advocates and members are all opposed to this,” she said.
“It does not pass the pub test.”
Camden Residents’ Action Group president Glenda Davis was concerned about the precedent the development would set for Camden.
“The approval of this proposal would be seen as an invitation for a development bonanza,” she said.
A spokesman for applicant Graham and Sanders Pty Ltd told the Camden Local Planning Panel that the height variation was necessary and justified to cater to the flooding constraints of the site.
He said the site was identified for the development due to the rising urban sprawl, the lack of commercial space in Camden and the future seniors’ development of the old Camden High School site.
“We believe it will be a good community space,” he said.
“Camden is no longer what Camden was 200 years ago.”
The Camden Local Planning Panel will release its decision in the next 48 hours.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Camden independent councillor Eva Campbell: “It does not pass the pub test”
Camden resident Charles Cowell: “We should be making every effort to maintain what we have. Camden is a community, don’t spoil it.”
Camden Residents’ Action Group president Glenda Davis: “The approval of this proposal would be seen as an invitation for a development bonanza.”
Camden resident Sue Cross: “It does not match any property in the near vicinity”
Camden resident Lorraine Idon: “The community is always concerned how these developments come before us when they are so far out of alignment with the regulations. The community is distressed by this.”
Camden Labor councillor Cindy Cagney: “There are many other developments (in the vicinity of the site) that have adhered with council’s regulations.”
Graham and Sanders Pty Ltd spokesman: “We believe it will be a great development when that site’s will be redeveloped. It will be a good community space.”
‘Hardest worker in our team’: Winger raises bar in Collies comeback
Defence took a back seat as Campbelltown Collegians and Thirlmere piled on a combined 14 tries in a high-scoring contest at Bradbury Oval. There was a hat-trick and a big comeback. Full wrap.
House at risk of termites, mould, leakage after raft of defects found
Failures to protect a new house from termites, waterlogging and structural integrity were among defects found when the state’s building watchdog undertook an inspection of the southwest Sydney property.