Opponents of a proposed 50-lot housing development on Woy Woy Rd at Kariong will rally outside the Gosford office of the Department of Planning on Friday, February 16.
Spokesperson Lisa Bellamy said the group would protest what they believed to be failed community consultation on a proposal to rezone the land to make way for the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) development.
“Many who put in a submission via the portal did not receive the automated confirmation email, indicating receipt of the submission,” Bellamy said.
“The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has verified that without this email confirmation, your submission was not logged.
“This potentially means thousands of submissions have been lost.
“This is unacceptable.
“We insist on fairness, transparency, and integrity in the planning process; it’s time to take a stand.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the Department was conscious of the strong level of community interest in the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council’s (DLALC) proposal at Kariong.
“The Department has received feedback that some people could have experienced communication issues while making submissions on the Planning Portal,” the spokesperson said.
The Department extended the deadline for submissions to be emailed to centralcoast@planning.nsw.gov.au from January 29 to February 9 and then February 12.
“The Department will ensure any submissions made by email which were unable to be lodged on the Planning Portal will be included as part of the normal process,” the spokesperson said.
“The independent Regional Planning Panel will then consider the proposal, including all submissions received during the initial public exhibition period and emails received up until Monday, February 12.
“A response to submissions is expected to be finalised by mid-2024.
“The Darkinjung LALC will still need to formally submit any potential development applications through Central Coast Council should the land be rezoned.
“This will be subject to a separate public exhibition process.”
But Bellamy says while opponents “appreciate the sentiment”, this is “not good enough”.
The rezoning proposal would see environmentally protected land (C2) rezoned to R2.
Opponents have held numerous rallies over the past four years, objecting to the proposed housing development on environmental and cultural grounds.
They say it would see an irreversible loss of biodiversity and species including the Eastern Pygmy Possum, large-eared pied bat, swift parrot and rare plant species would be endangered.
They say the development’s impact would extend to the removal of threatened wetlands, an Area of Regional Koala Significance, and the potential degradation of the Brisbane Water Catchment and there has been a lack of proper evaluation of Aboriginal heritage sites and disapproval from local traditional custodians.
The proposed rezoning also raises concerns about the strain on local infrastructure, lack of housing diversity and potential risks associated with urban sprawl, they say.
Bellamy is encouraging residents to join the peaceful protest bringing signs and sticky-tape.
The rally will be held at 10am on Friday, February 16, outside the Central Coast offices of the Department of Planning, 32 Mann St, Gosford.