The first step to add another 190 manufactured homes next to the Valhalla village in Chain Valley Bay got the green light from Central Coast Council.
Vivacity Property Pty Ltd, on behalf of landowner Carol Richardson, lodged a planning proposal to rezone land at 45 Mulloway Rd for future development.
Central Coast Council has agreed to prepare a planning proposal for NSW Planning Minister to rezone the 10.61ha site from E3 Environmental Management to mostly RE2 Private Recreation, and the vegetated area along the banks of Karignan Creek to E2 Environmental Conservation.
The Minister will decide whether it can proceed and on what conditions, and when those conditions are met, and the proposal changed if necessary.
The proposal will be publicly exhibited for submissions.
Councillor Chris Holstein called for an upgrade to the intersection of Pacific Highway and Chain Valley Bay Rd.
“It is urgent and the reports all highlight that need because it is a major issue, maybe not now, but definitely as development happens in the future,” he said.
Council acknowledged that the intersection was already at capacity and would require significant upgrade if the manufactured home village was to proceed.
A council staff report says that Roads and Maritime Services will not support the creation of additional lots requiring access to this intersection until it was upgraded.
“The State Government is aware of emerging issues in the area and this proposal is one of several planning proposals concurrently being considered in this area, and all parties are to contribute to the completion of the required works through agreement with Transport for NSW,” the report said.
Councillor Greg Best said this was a sensible outcome for the site, with housing sorely needed in the area and would complement the existing Valhalla Village.
Yet, a Council report says there is concern about residents being unable to access services they need because of the large population increase in the area, which is already under serviced.
“While there is need for more affordable housing on the Central Coast, it must be well planned and well located to avoid negatively impacting on residents.
“The draft Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan envisages the development of this site and surrounding sites and provides for improved servicing of the area.
“Servicing for this and surrounding precincts has been identified as a priority by Council and is currently being considered through the completion of the Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan,” the staff report said.
Councillor Jillian Hogan opposes the development of a manufactured home village on the site and does not support the planning proposal.
“Are we turning the whole Lake Munmorah area into a manufactured home village?” she asked.
“If the same thing was happening down south there’d be a complete uproar, however, I don’t even think our community has been well consulted on this.
“I believe there is not a lot of support for another mobile home village, and as much as I want to see affordable housing, there are a lot of manufactured housing estates in that Lake Munmorah area and it is a grave concern for that community,” she said.
Deputy Mayor, Jane Smith, asked “is this the best we can do when it comes to liveability and accommodation?
“I reinforce Cr Hogan’s comment about the quality this creates for the community and for development in that area, because it is coming to us under a State Environment Planning Policy it won’t need to comply with some of those bare minimum requirements that enhance liveability in some of these areas,” she said.
“I will support the planning proposal going forward because it will go on exhibition and gives the community an opportunity to have a good look at it and really see if that’s the quality of a new suburb, or a new area that we’re trying to create,” Cr Smith said.
Cr Best said that to suggest Valhalla was possibly sub-standard was abhorrent and elitist.
“There are quite a few of these villages up there but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of standards.
“There’s some built suburbs around the place that have some serious social issues in them, and they’re not mobile home parks,” he said.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, this is just the planning proposal.”
Councillors Hogan and MacGregor voted against the planning proposal.
Source:
Meeting, Apr 27
Agenda item 3.3
Central Coast Council
Reporter: Sue Murray