I refer to the article, Council criticised over Toukley boarding house approval, published on February 16 and, specifically, I refer to the Council responses to our allegations.
Instead of addressing the concerns of the residents, the administration at Central Coast Council attempted to justify their decision process with a misleading representation of what occurred.
Council stated “It should be noted that community members who objected to the final DA submitted, had the opportunity to address the Court prior to the mediation”. This is a misleading and incorrect statement which lacks integrity.
The residents were notified of the Land & Environment Court (LEC) Section 34 Conciliation Conference by Solicitors for Council in writing on June 15, 2022.
The solicitor advised the residents they may be able to address the Commissioner at a proposed site meeting on July 27 and that there was usually no other opportunity for the residents to engage the Court further as the S34 conference was confidential between the parties.
There was no final amended DA at that time, so residents could not have possibly had the opportunity to lodge objections prior to mediation as claimed by Council.
On July 27 five of the residents, representing more than 460 local residents, made verbal representations via a video link to the LEC Commissioner, when the onsite LEC Section 34 conference meeting was cancelled due to COVID.
The residents’ presentations were limited to five minutes each, stating we were supportive of integrated quality affordable housing in Toukley, not just any housing, and addressed the main concerns of scale of the development, lack of support services in Toukley, the adverse police report and the inevitable adverse social impact on the character of the area.
Three months later on October 18, 2022 the final amended DA was issued for public comment by Council, with a closing date for objections set at November 18.
To be precise there were more than 300 submissions stating that even though the developer had addressed internal issues and the institutional feel raised by Council and the independent planning panel, none of the social impact issues raised by the residents with the Commissioner at the July conference had been met.
No acknowledgement of our objection letters was received from Council and no further conference was held with residents.
In less than a month from the close of the public objection period of November 18, residents received a letter from Council’s solicitor advising that Council had reached an agreement with the developer and the DA had been approved.
The Judgment from the LEC clearly states that Council advised the Court that all the residents’ objections had been met in the final DA.
This statement alone is an indictment on Council administration, it clearly mislead the LEC Commissioner and misrepresented the residents’ concerns.
Council does not represent the interest of the residents and we allege it appears as if Council is simply a servant of the State government and their manic rush to provide housing.
Email, Feb 21, 2023, David Isaac, Toukley
Agree wholeheartedly with the above article , which is the truth of events as they occurred. I’m disappointed with Central Coast Council, who have no actual Councillors representing the constituents of our ward. All we have is a State Government Administrator who does what he like and does not care of community issues. Shame shame shame on them.
As a fellow Toukley resident, we have been misled and misheard. While Toukley residents are not opposed to affordable living, we already have quite a few developments here, Our small town just doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle a boarding house of this magnitude. As I understand it’s to house 90 men into small confined rooms. Our local police have also objected strongly to this development.
Glenda
Toukley Resident
I am a resident of Toukley, and have been for the past 44 years. I am deeply concerned about the fact that the Development Application for a Boarding House to house over 90 boarders ( mostly men) has been approved by council members after the developer had made some changes to the 6th amendment.I don’t believe the council members involved, have considered the very detailed 300+ objections, ( of most, which I have read) This area for the Boarding House is being put in an area where services are very limited eg medical, transport, job opportunities etc. Council members are being contacted for a meeting with the residents in order for a better understanding of why this decision was made. As at 27th February, the residents are still waiting for a meeting to be held. The council members concerned seem to be avoiding a meeting with residents who will be affected by the development. Why ?
Disgraceful, this whole situation smells of favours for the cronies! Toukley does not have the services or policing necessary to support a boarding house this big and keep the community safe. Would be good to know how this developer got the plans approved by council and supported by the courts without taking account of any community feedback or concerns. Shameful…
I’m extremely disappointed with the actions of the Council and the approval of the boarding house, the location is not suitable for that type of infrastructure and is disastrous for the local community and the local environment.
So when does this Boarding house suppose to be built and is it really 90 male residents.
I understand how some of you are feeling as you have lived here a long time but you know its called Progress and you all need to calm down and let this happen. You never know it might not be all that BAD. Everyone deserves somewhere safe and decent to live
Toukley is a small town. 90 additional residents with free time will overcrowd the living areas. Bus transport is the only way to employment & large shopping areas. There is a constant stream of traffic on the single lane roadway into & out of town now. This project has to be before the Court again. Central Coast Council has approved DA without due consideration to existing amenities and residents.