Lizard Rock, Belrose: Outrage at latest planning decision for Aboriginal land redevelopment bid

The latest planning decision in a bid to redevelop Aboriginal owned bushland on the northern beaches has been slammed by the mayor.

The controversial push for a 450-home subdivision at Lizard Rock — undeveloped Aboriginal-owned bushland on the northern beaches — has moved a step closer after a ruling by state planning officials.

A bid by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC).to have the land at Belrose rezoned to allow homes, seniors’ accommodation and community facilities can now be put forward to the Planning Proposal stage.

But Michel Regan, the mayor of Northern Beaches Council, which is opposed to the plan, has labelled the decision by the “Strategic Planning Panel” of the NSW Government’s Sydney North Planning Panel, a “disgrace”.

Cr Regan said it was “beyond poor planning” and that he was seeking legal advice on whether the decision could be appealed.

The mayor is also looking at recalling the council for an extraordinary meeting early in the new year to discuss its response to the decision.

An indicative image of what an Aboriginal cultural centre may look like in the proposed 'Lizard Rock' development at Belrose on 71ha of land owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Picture: Cox Architecture

The council has been critical of the redevelopment proposal, with Cr Regan calling it a “bushfire trap” and urging that it become a national park instead of a housing estate.

If the plan gets the go-ahead, bushland equivalent in size to 46 football fields would disappear, the council found.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan slammed the planning decision as “disgraceful”. Picture: Supplied

As well as free standing homes and townhouses up to 8.5m high, the site along Morgan Rd could also include seniors housing, an Aboriginal cultural community centre as well as shops, a supermarket and cafes.

Its owners argue the redevelopment would help fund initiatives for Aboriginal people as well as protect a number of ancient Aboriginal sites within it boundaries.

Nathan Moran, from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, at the site of the controversial new housing development planned for Belrose. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

In August, Planning Minister Anthony Roberts approved the Northern Beaches Aboriginal Land Development Delivery Plan, which the Lizard Rock proposal is part of.

Cr Regan said the government planning panel had also given the council 42 days to confirm whether it wanted to become the consent authority for the planning proposal.

“I’ve asked the council CEO (Ray Brownlee) to call for legal advice on whether we can challenge the decision” he said on Friday.

“Separately I’ve asked for a briefing and an extraordinary council meeting to consider whether or not we can be the consent authority.”

Cr Regan was also critical of the timing of the decision — on the same day that the state government announced it was aiming for a target of 70pc Net Zero Emissions by 2035.

“Then they sneak in ‘oh and by the way, we have approved the next steps on Lizard Rock here on the Beaches’,” he said.

An indicative map of the proposed 'Lizard Rock' development. Picture: Cox Architecture

“Not sure how clearing 45-plus football fields of native bush will help achieve that target. Or how permitting seniors living in a known bushfire area is smart for that matter.

“Have we not learned anything from recent bushfires?

“I am not often critical of government and always work with them. This decision however is a disgrace. It’s beyond poor planning.”

The Planning Department said the council had been offered the opportunity to accept the consent authority role “to prepare the planning proposal for Gateway determination by the department”.

“If the council does not accept the planning proposal authority role within 42 days, an alternate planning proposal authority will be appointed,” the Department stated.

“If the proposal proceeds, it will be publicly exhibited for a minimum of 28 days in 2023 giving the community and other stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback.”