Gosford Council has unanimously deferred its decision on a contentious planning proposal for a resource recovery facility on Kerns Rd in Kincumber following around 500 public objections and almost 100 supporting submissions.
The proposal is seeking to use part of the existing Kincumber Quarry site, where a sandstone quarry has been operating for around 60 years, to recycle demolition and construction materials from building construction activities. Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna said the council’s decision to defer the proposal would allow for more information to be provided about a range of issues so that it can be assessed further. “We are very mindful of the need to balance the competing interests of local residents with those of the site’s owner and customers,” mayor Cr McKinna said. “We also need to consider the wider community, who would not only benefi t from recycled materials but also the valuable environmental areas council could protect under this proposal. “Local residents are understandably concerned about heavy vehicle movements to and from the site, especially when the area’s local roads might not be able to handle these vehicles. “Heavy vehicles could also pose safety issues for local pedestrians and other vehicles. “Plus the Gosford Local Environment Plan’s defi nition of a resource recovery facility allows for a wide range of materials to be recycled, and it’s possible that a future owner of the site could introduce other materials into the facility. “But on the other hand, locally-based recycling facilities play an important role in our economy by reducing transport costs and providing locallysourced materials. “It might also be possible for the area’s local roads to be upgraded and the site’s activities to be restricted via development conditions or a planning agreement. “At this stage, more information is needed about these issues and others before the council can decide whether a resource recovery facility is an appropriate land use in this part of Kincumber,” he said. A further report that looks at any additional, available information about these issues and others, including potential noise, ecology, air quality and water quality impacts, will be prepared for the council to consider. “After this report is presented to council, we may need to look at whether a planning agreement could be negotiated with the site’s owner about things like the protection of valuable environmental areas, site rehabilitation, road maintenance and enforceable operational restrictions that minimise any impacts on local residents. “But any future steps will depend heavily on whether council’s satisfi ed with the further information it’s asked for,” said mayor Cr McKinna.
Media release,
10 Dec 2014
Gosford Council Media