Residents band together to oppose large development of caravan park, saying it will be ‘paradise lost’
MOST of them made a life-changing move to Oakville, forsaking many modern amenities for the slow paced rural lifestyle. Now they want to block a development they say will change that.
Rouse Hill
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rouse Hill. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Brave mum fighting back after brain stem stroke
- Why Schofields station could be dangerous for residents
MOST of them made a “tree-change” to move to Oakville, forsaking many modern amenities for the genteel and slow paced rural lifestyle.
However, with a $20.5 million planned housing development by Ingenia on their doorstep at the Vineyard Van Village, the residents say it will be paradise lost because it will destroy their way of life and possibly livelihoods given there are large chicken farms close by.
Residents have banded together to form Friends of Oakville and are desperate to stop the development from happening in its current form.
The group, who have appealed to Hawkesbury Council and local MPs Susan Templeman and Dominic Perrottet, are angry about the plans.
Hawkesbury councillor Nathan Zamprogno said the development “represents a large scale and quite dense subdivision which would never be permitted except for the artifice of using a permitted use of the current zoning (RU4), which is caravan park”.
“That the new structures proposed are effectively houses, not caravans or removable structures under the normal meaning of the term. They are on concrete foundations,” Cr Zamprogno said.
“This application is a gross distortion of a permitted use to try and slip-by this subdivision development ... and the development is inconsistent with the general character of the area, which is acreage holdings and primary production.”
John Fairfield has been living in Oakville for 44 years.
“This place has always been rural and we love it here,” said Mr Fairfield who was surrounded by angry residents.
Addressing their concerns, Ingenia CEO Simon Owen said they have “worked hard to engage openly, consistently and transparently with the community at all times”.
“We have given careful consideration to the design of the community to fit in with the existing neighbourhood and minimise the impact on neighbours, and have included appropriate setbacks and extensive landscaping both in and around the community,” Mr Owen told the Rouse Hill Times.
“This development will create jobs ... and have positive flow-on effects for local businesses.
“Essential infrastructure to the site will be improved to accommodate the proposed expansion of Avina Van Village, including power, water, gas, sewer and telecommunications.”
Hawkesbury Council said it is aware of the resident’s concerns but a council spokeswoman said they will be in a better position to comment after attending a community forum on December 14.
Mr Zamprogno has met with Friends of Oakville and have conducted a site inspection hosted by Ingenia.
“My general concerns relate to the fact that this is the kind of decision that is increasingly taken out of the hands of councils and given to planning panels (previously the “Joint Regional Planning Panel”, now the Sydney West Planning Panel,” Cr Zamprogno said.
“Any proposed development over $20 million is now given to planning panels to resolve.
“Planning panels have five members, three are appointed by the relevant state government minister and the council’s two representatives are currently the mayor (Mary Lyons-Buckett) and the director of planning (Matthew Owens).
“The mayor is effectively hamstrung in acting as a community leader in hearing, discussing and understanding residents concerns as it represents a conflict of interest with their role as a Planning Panel member.
“Local residents still make representations to council and councillors and expect us to act as means of expression and resolution of their concerns.
“Council is not presently in the habit of debating, formulating a position (beyond that of the technical report prepared by council staff) and presenting that position (for or against) to planning panels on behalf of residents, but should, in my opinion.”
Paul Morton and his wife Silvia Morton run a booming starter pullets farm at the back of their large property but are worried the money they have invested will be lost if the Ingenia plans go through.
“We moved here 16 years ago to start this business and we have sunk millions into it to make it successful,” Mr Morton said.
“Now we face losing everything because of the development as our chicks health will be affected by all the trucks, noise, dust and lights going up during the construction and afterwards.”
The residents, who have an impressive file of the development applications and diagrams, done their home work on the plans, said some of them forced to live so close to the new houses that the will lose their present space.
They are also worried if the Chapman Rd bridge can take the extra load of the trucks which will be using it during construction.
Another resident Lyn Batson said Ingenia’s proposal includes removal of critically endangered species of flora and fauna and significant vegetation.
“Another concern is a proposed bar to be included in the community building,” Ms Batson said.
“If this is a licenced premise this could have negative impacts with regard to adverse social impacts to the existing quiet and peaceful community.
“With the proposed increase in density it is unclear how the rural roads not designed for heavy traffic will be impacted given a proposed increase of at least 1000 daily car trips and insufficient visitor parking facilities.
“The sheer scale of the proposal would be indicative of a low density zoning which is misaligned with the intent and character of the zoning which comprises predominantly rural residential lots of between 5 and 25 acres and agricultural land uses.”
THE DEVELOPMENT
What: Ingenia Communities plans to build a $20.5 million development for over 55s.
Where: Avina Van Village, Bocks Rd, Vineyard.
How big: More than 247 homes over 19.6ha.
Construction: Due to start in mid-2017.
Public meeting: Ingenia has organised a public meeting at the Avina village on Wednesday, December 14 at 6.30pm
‘Immensely humbling’: Oz Day honours for Sydney’s local legends
While some call it “immensely humbling”, others have joked about thinking “which bastard has put me on here”. Meet Sydney’s local legends recognised on Australia Day.
‘A privilege’: Ceremonies continue, regardless of ‘cranky’ Dutton plan
Sydney and regional councils are embracing Australia Day citizenship ceremonies, with one outspoken mayor reminding the Opposition Leader he doesn’t need to start a “petty culture” fight.