Husskison Anglican Church development: NSW Planning issue gateway determination

It is the contentious vision to transform a church and surrounding graves into a high-rise residential and commercial precinct, and NSW Planning has decided its fate. SEE THE OUTCOME HERE.

Artist impressions of the redevelopment of the Huskisson Anglican Church site.

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Controversial plans to transform the former Huskisson Anglican Church site into a bustling residential and commercial precinct have been decided by the NSW Planning Department.

The proposal, which was granted approval by NSW Planning executive director Monica Gibson last month, earmarks the construction of a new mixed-use development, including a residential apartment building, serviced tourist apartments, a hotel, as well as an outdoor night market and dining precinct just a few hundred metres from dozens of graves that surround the old church site.

Exclusive first look at the plans for the Huskisson Hotel,

Ms Gibson said the proposal could proceed, as long as a series of extensive conditions were met by the developer including a survey to identify graves using a Ground Penetrating Radar, an archaeological assessment of graves, a “full Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report of the entire area”, as well as an independent feasibility peer review.

She said Shoalhaven City Council would be the local plan-making authority for the project following a requests by a council representative.

Council planners said no graves would be disturbed for the development.

The development has been a contentious issue for residents and community groups, including the Save Husky Church campaign, which regularly protests the redevelopment plans — resulting in more than 130 submissions raising concerns over the proposal.

A look at the retained church building.

However, a planner for the development argued the “historic activity on the site” has ceased following the sale of the land by the Anglican Church.

What the site could look like.

A Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council spokesman said the department’s decision to include a series of conditions to the approval “vindicates” requests made to council.

“The Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts of this proposal will be taken into account,” the representative said.