A DEVELOPMENT application for a major subdivision in Kurrajong Village is on exhibition for comment until February 5.
Lodged on December 23, the DA is for a 50-house subdivision on a 3.25ha block on Kurrajong Road known as Ackland’s paddocks.
DA 0830/15 proposes 52 lots of 450m2 to 700m2 in size, two of which are for services. The block size complies with its R2 low-density residential zoning.
The Crown land block was sold last year to PRJM Pty Ltd. The development is estimated to cost $4,350,000.
As town water pressure was considered insufficient, a water storage tanktrickle-fed from the town water system is proposed.
A central sewage holding tank would need regular pump-out.
Traffic movements were stated as up to 43 peak hour trips twice a day.
Nearby resident Chris Hallam was critical of residents’ opportunity to comment. “The timing so that the exhibition period is during the January school holidays is inappropriate,” Mr Hallam said.
Reports in the DA said most vegetation would be removed, but that there were no endangered flora, fauna or ecosystems on the block. However one objector said there were threatened Macquarie Perch in Little Wheeny Creek which is 50m from one corner of the block.
Kurrajong Road residents Bernice and Geoff Melrose have already lodged an objection, saying “we won't be lying down and allowing this to happen”.
They said the block was home to possums, lizards, wallabies and a koala, as well as parrots, bowerbirds, whipbirds, kookaburras and cockatoos. They also fear a “convoy of trucks either delivering water or emptying sewage systems”.
The developers simultaneously lodged a second much more modest proposal for the site of eight 4000m2 lots (one acre) with their own aerated water sewage systems.
Director of PRJM Pty Ltd, Michael McCarthy defended the 52-lot plan, saying “we’re providing much-needed achievable housing”. “It’s very hard for people to break in to the housing market and we’re providing good homes on good land at a reasonable price.”
However he would not comment on why the company lodged two DAs.
Comments on the DA can be sent to council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au. Quote the DA number.
