Gosford councillors will have the opportunity to inspect a property on Karalta Rd, Erina, regarding an application to amend the development consent for an approved relocatable home village.
The inspection aims to help councillors better understand the community’s concerns prior to determining the proposal, having received 16 public submissions.
Council has received a Section 96 application to amend the approved application to allow for the removal and replacement of 48 Cyprus trees on the eastern boundary of the site.
The approved application comprises the demolition of the existing dwelling, pool and other structures and the construction of 83 relocatable home sites including office reception and internal access roads.
According to the applicant: “During the course of the initial construction phase, it was found that the existing trees had been incorrectly plotted on the base survey plans.”
“The trees are actually located further to the west such that the first 38 trees are within the proposed roadway (i.e. .: Grevillea Circuit).
“These will need to be removed and replaced with the same species closer to the eastern boundary. ”
As a result, the remainder of the trees have been examined and found to be close to the end of their life expectancy and in many cases, in poor condition.
“It is proposed to remove and replace all 148 trees with advanced specimens of the same species. ”
A similar exercise was undertaken along the western boundary adjacent to the main entry road.
“Removing and replacing all the trees at the same time will ensure that they will provide a consistent hedge along the boundary with greater longevity.”
The community has submitted a number of concerns in regard to the removal of the trees including but not limited to: a reduction in property values; loss of privacy; the condition of the trees; and the impact on birds.
According to the report to council by the department Governance and Planning, “the proposed modifications are considered to be reasonable and will result in minimal environmental impacts”.
“While the proposed removal and replacement of the cypress trees along the eastern side boundary of the site will result in some loss of amenity (privacy, visual outlook etc) to adjacent owners during the construction phase of the development, over the longer term (i.e. when plantings are established at a suitable height) such impact is considered to be reasonable.
“The proposal will result in a better long term outcome in relation to maintaining a hedge of a suitable height along the eastern boundary to provide effective privacy screening over the longer term. “Council’s tree management officer has raised no objections to the proposal.”
Council will consider the application on Tuesday, August 26.
Gosford Council agenda
GOV.39, 12 Aug 2014