Willinga Park planning changes upsets south coast residents

There are fears an equine precinct located in a tiny coastal community could “become a resort”, as plans to host more events and build more accommodation are revealed.

Zoning changes to allow for more events at a Shoalhaven property has residents up in arms, with some concerned it could set a precedent across the coast.

A planning proposal to change the region’s Local Environment Plan has been put to Shoalhaven council by owners of Willinga Park, seeking to make way for an array of events at the Bawley Point property.

But, some say any such planning amendments could set precedents across the region.

Carrie Jansma-Smith, who lives near the property, said the proposal was “another example of DA creep”.

“Since Willinga Park started construction and since events have started there have been 20-30 alterations, modifications and additions to the existing DA’s that were in place,” she said.

“It entails building a structure for one purpose knowing full well it was built for something else and then applying for a change via a modification to the DA.

“The current planning proposal is an obvious case in point, why build a conference/function centre if you were not able to use its full potential without changing the zoning usage.”

Willinga Park on the south coast is proposing changes to the region's Local Environment Plan. Photo: Emily Barton

However, Shoalhaven Councillor Patricia White said it would be a hard proposal to replicate.

“It does set a precedent, but it is a unique property, and you would have to find a property like that in Shoalhaven to do a replica to what’s proposed there,” she said.

Shoalhaven council and the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel last year knocked back proposed changes to the LEP for an address in Berry.

That proponent wanted to change the zoning from rural to residential in an effort to make way for a subdivision.

Currently zoned as a rural landscape, which doesn’t allow for function centres on the site, Willinga Park’s proposal claims for weddings, exhibitions or conferences to be held in the picturesque setting, planning laws have to change.

“Use of the approved facilities on the site for non-equine and non-agricultural estate functions is prohibited, which is currently a lost opportunity for Willinga Park and for the local economy,” the proposal states.

A state of the art equestrian centre is already on the Forster Drive site, and the property’s owners want to host functions with less than 351 attendees and low impact developments, without having to get council approval.

If allowed, they anticipate up to two events will be held each week.

In a statement, a Willinga Park spokesperson said the vision for the property was to elevate equestrian sports in Australia, and internationally by providing a world-class facility.

“Our investment in Willinga Park has seen hundreds of locals employed, local infrastructure upgrades, and a much-needed injection into the visitor economy,” a spokesperson said.

Concerned about the volume of traffic more events could have on the condition of local roads, Mrs Jansma-Smith wanted a traffic count completed.

“I would like to see the road monitored to see how much traffic, including trucks, used it,” she said.

Shoalhaven councillor Patricia White said Willinga Park was a ‘tourism drawcard’.

Cr White said a lot of applications to change planning rules do not get approved.

“I’ve seen a lot of them go through, and a lot of them don’t get through because they are not within the keeping of the surrounds or the character of where they’re located,” she said.

“By the time it comes back and changes are made and conditions are made, it can be completely different to what was originally proposed to the council.”

On the more than 167 hectare site sits several houses, a 300-seat equine education centre, 34 guest cabins, cattle yards, equine arenas and world-class stables. A guesthouse with 44 rooms has also been approved for the property.

According to Willinga Park, more than 5,000 people can be accommodated at the facility daily. However, local community members don’t want to see the coastal hamlet turned into an event hub year-round.

Shoalhaven City Council has already asked for feedback on the proposal, before it’s development and environment committee considers it.

Ultimately, the state government will have the final say on any changes to the LEP should the local council decide to progress plans.

Meanwhile, Capital Property Group, on behalf of Willinga Park, also has plans lodged with the council to accommodate 10 guest cabins on part of the site.

The proposed cabins have a floor space of 220 square metres, well above the council’s development control plan which recommends a maximum cabin space of 120 square metres.

“If this DA is not refused it will set an unacceptable precedent for the Shoalhaven,” Stuart Coughlan, on behalf of the Berry Forum, said in a submission.

Willinga Park owner Terry Snow (left) with Olympian Brett Parbery at equine facility. Photo: John Feder/The Australian

Others are worried the precinct could slowly become a “resort”.

“If this is approved, you can bet the old death by one hundred cuts will start,” Karen Jones said.

“Willinga Park will apply for a guest swimming pool then perhaps another function centre then spa, gym.

“Then creep in a few more cabins and perhaps adjust the boundary of one of the adjoining Willinga Park owned lots to make it all legal, and presto, you have a hotel resort.”

Cr White said cabin sizes could exceed the development control plan, if the applicant could give an “acceptable example” as to why they wanted to exceed the guide.

“Those cabins will come in under a tourist development,” she said.

“I haven’t seen any council assessment on it though.”

Cr White said the facility was a tourism drawcard, and continued to boost the region’s economy.

“I don’t think there’s another facility that brings in that type of high end economic benefit to the Shoalhaven,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone would disagree that Willinga Park has been built into a world-class facility for equestrian.”

Mrs Jansma-Smith said the majority of money spent by visitors to the property, is not in the local community.

“While those people attend the events, the majority stay and purchase food in Willinga Park, bringing limited economic value to the local businesses,” she said.

Willinga Park refuted that claim.

“You only have to look at our last campdraft event when all accommodation and holiday homes were booked out in the local area, bringing much need tourism dollars to our struggling local businesses,” a Willinga Park spokesperson said.

Terry Snow, the man behind Willinga Park and Capital Property Group, has splashed a lot of cash in the coastal hamlet, funding the community men’s shed and rebuilding the Gantry after it was washed away in a storm.

He also paid for a portion of Forster Drive, from Voyager Crescent to his property, to be resurfaced.