Bega Valley Shire Council says ‘development barriers’ should be lifted to help ease south coast housing crisis

A south coast council says government red tape is causing ‘development barriers’, in a community already struggling with a housing crisis.

A south coast council says “development barriers” should be lifted as it attempts to tackle the ongoing housing crisis.

While Bega Valley Shire Council has earmarked a four hectare parcel of land at Greigs Flat south of Pambula as “an area suitable for rural residential development”, it said barriers preventing it from going ahead should be lifted.

The land is currently zoned for environmental conservation, with a minimum lot size of 120 hectares, and the owner of the land has submitted a planning proposal for the subdivision of two lots, which will require a changing of zoning regulations.

Councillor Robyn Bain said the issue must be resolved. Picture: BVSC

The council voted unanimously to submit the planning proposal for the land to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for determination.

The plan will then be put on public exhibition, and council staff will then work with landowners and the NSW Government to “unlock barriers to developments”.

Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said as many as 200 blocks, included council owned land, could be impacted by the government’s decision, with Transport NSW against the move due to potential hazards caused by a Princes Highway intersection.

He said the land and others nearby were identified as part of a $20,000 report into land strategy in the area, and recommended a workshop be held between landholders and the government to work out a path forward.

Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said as many as 200 blocks of land could be impacted by the decision. Picture: BVSC

“The only way it will be affordable is if all landowners buy into it,” he said.

“Leaving it to one developer won’t (see it) occur that way.

“We’ll end up with a pot-mix approach that has another arterial road onto the highway that’s dangerous in five to 10 years time.”

The council’s director of community, environment and planning, Alice Howe, said she has been pleased with the way the government has been working to “unblock” issues.

Bega Valley Shire Council works and assets manager Ian Macfarlane. Picture: BVSC

She said landholders could co-ordinate one entrance from the highway and supported advocating with Transport NSW for a “relaxation” of requirements.

Councillor Robyn Bain questioned at what point there would be “enough demand” from developments to allow an intersection to be built, and said a connecting road away from the highway could be an option.

“We will, as you say, be pushed back unless we offer Transport NSW more information,” she said.

“If the problem is the highway, let’s take it off the highway.”

The council‘s works and assets manager Ian Macfarlane said “unmade roads in the vicinity” could be possible alternatives to a highway entrance to any development.