A planning proposal to rezone land at 137 Johns Rd, Wadalba, from RU6 Transition to R2 Low Density Residential, E2 Environmental Conservation and SP2 Infrastructure, has been considered by Central Coast Council.
Community and public authority consultation has been completed and revisions made to Draft Chapter 6.17 of the Warnervale East, Wadalba North West of Wyong Development Control Plan 2013.
A report from the Environment and Planning Division of Central Coast Council recommended that Council supported the finalisation of the planning proposal and execution of a Voluntary Planning Agreement leading to the finalisation of the rezoning.
In August, 2013, the former Wyong Council resolved to rezone 137 Johns Rd, Wadalba, into the broader Wadalba East Urban Land Release Planning Proposal, but the owners requested Council to separate the site from the precinct rezoning process to accelerate the rezoning of the land.
In December, 2014, Wyong Council resolved to prepare a planning proposal and forward it to the Planning Department, a Development Control Plan and a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA).
The VPA would require dedication and rehabilitation of wildlife corridor land on terms acceptable to Council, dedication of land, at no cost to Council, for the realignment of Johns Rd, and funding of the commissioning, maintenance and decommissioning of a temporary sewer pump station by the proponents to service the development.
A gateway determination was issued by the planning department in February, 2015, and an extension was issued by Central Coast Council in August.
The site is on the northern side of Johns Rd, is rectangular and 93,220 square metres in area.
Around half the site has been cleared, and a further 20 per cent of the remnant vegetation is in a highly disturbed condition, according to the report.
The site has been identified within a desired Green Corridor in the North Wyong Shire Structure Plan (NWSSP).
“It should be noted that the NWSSP did not undertake detailed investigations to confirm the condition, width and specific location of the wildlife corridor,” the report said.
“The position and sizing of the wildlife corridor has been established as part of investigations undertaken as part of the planning proposal, to ensure that a minimum corridor width of 120 metres is achieved.
“These specifications were considered to be acceptable by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and Council’s ecologist.
“The wildlife corridor also incorporates vegetated land to the west of the subject site which has been considered in ensuring that the 120 metre corridor design width goal is achieved.
“The planning proposal will secure part of the north-south wildlife corridor which will connect the Wadalba Wildlife Corridor to remnant wetland vegetation to the south of Johns Rd.
“With the resolution of the wildlife corridor and road realignment dimensions on the subject site, rezoning the remaining portion of the site to R2 Low Density Residential Zone represents a sensible and orderly planning outcome,” the report concluded.
The planning proposal seeks to rezone 63,200 square metres of land from RU6 Transition Zone to R2 Low Density Residential to enable a future residential subdivision.
It is also proposed to rezone 28,500 square metres on the western and northern sections of the site to E2 Environmental Conservation to facilitate the environmental corridor extension and connection with lands to the south.
A small sliver of SP2 Infrastructure (Local Roads) will also be created for future roadworks.
The proposed minimum lot size will be 450 square metres for land zoned R2 and 40,000 square metres for land zoned E2.
The land is also proposed to be included as an Urban Release Area (URA), which will enable the State Government to place a levy on future residential development.
“The position of this E2 Environmental Conservation Zone has been negotiated with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and Council.
“It will expand the amount of natural open space and secure the scenic qualities of the locality.
“This will benefit the expanding residential population in Wadalba.
“In particular, it will provide passive recreation space in the form of walking trails that have the potential to connect with other trails within the broader Wadalba Corridor.
“A preliminary 56 lot subdivision concept plan has been prepared.
“The development will be accessed from a single point off Johns Rd.
“It makes provision for the adjoining land to the east (which will be rezoned in the future) to be connected to internal roads proposed as part of the development.
“The planning proposal is supported by a draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the Central Coast Council and Zaychan Pty Ltd.
This VPA addresses the dedication of wildlife corridor land and makes provision for the payment of an environmental management contribution to Council.
It enables the payment of applicable Section 94 Contribution Plan charges.
“Minor changes to the VPA will be undertaken (post exhibition) to allow for the payment of Section 94 contributions through the VPA, to require payment prior to the completion of the broader review of the Warnervale District Section 94 Contribution Plan.
“No objections or major issues were raised by any of the government agencies, with the exception of the OEH,” the report said.
OEH recommended Aboriginal monitoring be undertaken at the development application stage, but the report to Council said it was not necessary.
OEH said subsurface archaeological survey work by a suitably qualified archaeologist should be undertaken for undisturbed areas of the site prior to any development consent being granted.
Council’s Engineering Assessment Section advises that an overland flood flow path exists on the eastern drainage tributary which is proposed to be rezoned to residential.
“The proponent will be required to obtain a controlled activity approval from the Department of Industries, Water (DPI Water) for any work within this watercourse as part of any future development application for the subdivision,” the report said.”
Source:
Agenda item 3.4, Oct 23
Central Coast Council ordinary meeting