‘Extreme list of issues’: Lismore Northern Plateau development refused by council

A proposal for a contentious $39m development with more than 740 homes off the North Lismore flood plain has been refused. Here’s why.

An elevated view from North Lismore Plateau of the Showground. Picture: Cathy Adams/The Northern Star

A bid to build 742 homes on the Northern Plateau in Lismore has been shot down by the Northern Regional Planning Panel over an “extreme list of issues”.

The developers have threatened to take Lismore City Council to court.

Finding significant and unresolved issues with the development application, the planning panel unanimously voted down the $39 million housing development on Dunoon Rd in North Lismore on Thursday.

Lismore residents told the panel they were not against the estate in principal, but the application as it stood did not address the housing needs of Lismore flood victims.

“If any argument is mounted suggesting that this development suits those who lost their homes … in my opinion it should be rejected,” she said.

“Those who lost their homes in North, South and East Lismore are unlikely to be able to afford a house in this development as it stands.”

Lismore ratepayer Dot Moller said a new nuanced plan for the development of the North Lismore plateau may be required.

“There is a potential injustice to the population of North Lismore, our community badly affected by the devastating floods this year.

Alan Oshlack with community supporters protesting the North Lismore Plateau development in 2019.

“Many families are still homeless and living in substandard conditions right at the foot of our green plateau.

“Folks have left as they‘ve been unable to find work or repair their homes. Social and affordable housing is desperately needed.

“It is time to think about what we really need – not what a big Sydney development company thinks will work for them.”

Lismore resident Helen Robinson pointed out to the panel some of the land on the proposed estate had been identified as suitable to relocate up to 500 homes off the flood plain in North Lismore by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.

“Those homes are suitable to move to the foothills of this estate where the people can maintain their communities,” she said.

“(But) council maintains that it's not in the community’s interest. I wonder which part of the community they’re considering.

“I don’t think they’re considering the people of the flood plain.”

Major concerns that sank the development included, environmental and wildlife impacts from land clearing, bushfire hazards, pollution of drinking water, increased stormwater run-off, noise from traffic and undue pressure on infrastructure.

But the elephant in the room – and the biggest obstacle facing the developers – is the outstanding Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment.

The controversial development has been on the table for years.

“A significant shortfall with the application is a lack of consolation and documentation in regards to Aboriginal cultural heritage,” the council’s assessment reads.

The plan to build on the Northern Plateau has been banging around for over a decade, with the development hotly debated.

The council’s assessment found the DA as presented was in contravention of Aboriginal heritage conservation.

Known culturally as the ‘Sleeping Lizard’ because of the shape of the land, the site is said to hold significant cultural value to Widjabul Wia-bal traditional owners of the Bundjalung Nation.

Back in 2011, members of the Widjabul Wia-bal community protested after the council voted to allow the development because of the cultural significance of the site.

More than 10 years later, the issue of heritage conservation on the site is yet to be addressed by the prospective developers, the Northern Regional Planning Panel heard.

Tony Hart and Clyde Treadwell, consultants who represented land owners trying to develop the land, acknowledged the issues. They asked for a six-month extension for “specialist consultants” to resolve the problems.

Tony Riordan, one of several North Lismore Plateau landowners, in an archival photo. Picture: Cathy Adams/The Northern Star

Frustrated panel chair Paul Mitchell said: “The problem with that is that the application shouldn't have been lodged in the first place.”

“Every aspect of this application that needs further work … virtually none of the fundamental issues have been finally resolved.”

Mr Hart and Treadwell told the panel landowners would proceed to take Lismore City Council to the Land and Environment Court for a determination if the extension and DA was refused.

“We do not want to go to court but we will have to if there is no other avenue,” Mr Hart said.

Mr Mitchell said that would be “unfortunate” because it would be “an expensive burden” on Lismore residents.

Originally published as ‘Extreme list of issues’: Lismore Northern Plateau development refused by council