AGAINST staff recommendations, Port Stephens Council (PSC) has approved a residential planning proposal at 20 Nulla Nulla Lane, Hinton, to be sent for Gateway consideration.
“As a planner, I would say that in most instances I would not support rural residential development […], but this is one of the exceptions to the rule,” said Mason Stankovic, planning representative for the project.
The 20 Nulla Nulla Lane residential proposal was previously unanimously endorsed by PSC as an addendum to the Port Stephens Local Housing Strategy, but was then rejected by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
At the latest council meeting, the plan was presented once again, with the number of dwellings reduced from a maximum of 35 to 18.
However, PSC staff said several issues remained.
Hinton has been described as a ‘flood island’, frequently cut off from surrounding areas during heavy flooding events and more houses could put additional strain on emergency services and present safety issues.
The site, which currently has a single dwelling and a telecommunication facility, contains around 2.5 hectares of threatened ecological communities and potentially Aboriginal artefacts.
The applicants acknowledged that the flood risks were legitimate, but were optimistic that a Gateway nomination would lead to further studies that could help solve the issues presented.
“We’re not asking [PSC] to choose between housing and safety tonight,” said Simon Borham, the proponent of the residential rezoning.
PSC staff confirmed that an endorsement for Gateway determination was not equivalent to an approval; rather, the project will proceed to the next step of the formal process, which includes a public exhibition period and more technical research.
The reasoning convinced most of the councillors, with Cr Chris Doohan commenting that “we have a duty at the moment of trying to support housing developments and growth in our area”.
The only councillors to vote against the endorsement were Cr Giacomo Arnott, who said that more detailed strategic planning should have happened before sending the proposal for Gateway consideration, and Mayor Leah Anderson, who did not comment on the matter.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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