Revised Appin development plans on exhibition
A PROPOSAL to rezone 62.8ha of rural land at Macquariedale Rd, at Appin, is back on public exhibition after developer Walker Corporation amended its original proposal to take into account community concerns.
Macarthur
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A PROPOSAL to rezone 62.8ha of rural land at Macquariedale Rd, at Appin, is back on public exhibition after developer Walker Corporation amended its original proposal to take into account community concerns.
The proposal has been a long-running issue in the community since it was first touted in 2014.
A Walker Corporation spokesman said the updated proposal took into account the desire for the community to maintain Appin’s rural character by increasing lots sizes so that 70 per cent were 700sq m or larger.
“With the increased level of investment into infrastructure, upgrades to existing community facilities and our commitment to preserve the environment as part of the next stage, we are confident that the community will benefit greatly from this next stage,” he said.
In a submission on the proposal, environmental advocacy group, Total Environment Centre, objected to the destruction of koala habitat
“We acknowledge that the proposal includes the conservation of 34.31ha of bushland,” executive director Jeff Angel said.
“This bushland comprises shale transition forest (high sandstone influence) which is of substantially lower value to the koala than shale transition forest (low sandstone influence) and core koala habitat proposed for clearing.
“The most recent confirmed record of a koala within the development site boundary consists of a breeding female with baby sighted ... the presence of a breeding female combined with the occurrence of an extensive number of koala food trees, means the area proposed for clearing at the east of the development site can be considered core koala habitat.”
The Walker spokesman said an environmental study found no evidence of a permanent koala population.
“The survey found no evidence of a permanent koala population and our ecologists conclude the existing bush is not core koala habitat,” he said.
“Walker is dedicating two thirds of the Appin site as environmental conservation land preserving the main bushland corridor along Ousedale creek and will dedicate 54 hectares to conservation plus fund maintenance in perpetuity at a likely spend of between $1.5 and $2 million.
“Walker acknowledges there is a koala colony east of the Georges River and that at times koalas from this colony will transit through Appin. As a result Walker has committed up to $500,000 towards environmental initiatives such as koala crossings along Appin Road.”
The Walker spokesman said upgrades to Appin Rd, the expansion of Gordon Lewis Oval, 2km of new cycle paths, an upgraded main street and $2.5 million towards community projects formed part of a $10 million commitment to the region if the proposal goes ahead.
Walker has already made a precommitment of $1.2 million to the restoration of Appin Inn.
The proposal is available online at wollondilly.nsw. gov.au. Submissions close on February 28