Council thanks community following DA feedback
Published on 14 September 2021
Federation Council wishes to thank the community, for providing its written feedback in respect to Development Application 2020/162- Residential Subdivision Corowa.
The proposed development for 335 lot residential lots to be delivered in 13 stages, involves removal of native vegetation, demolition of existing buildings, creation of three public reserves for the purposes of drainage and public open space and associated civil works at 169-199 Redlands Road and 42-80 Cemetery Road, Corowa.
This application, in its previous form of a 355 lot subdivision, was lodged with Council in August 2020, and the subsequent assessment and requests for additional information to support an assessment continued until the 22 December 2020, when a class 1 application was lodged with the NSW Land and Environment Court with a claim of deemed refusal of the development application.
Between January 2021 and June 15, 2021 Council and the applicants have been meeting in agreed Section 34 conciliation sessions under the Land and Environment Court provisions, in an attempt to see if both parties could reach an amicable decision on the development proposal.
Unfortunately these sessions were not successful and on Tuesday, 15 June 2021 both parties involved in the proceedings agreed that the Section 34 conciliation should be terminated and the matter be referred back to the court for a directions hearing.
On Wednesday, August 18, the NSW Land and Environment Court determined to allow the applicant to rely on amended plans for the Class One Proceedings relating to Development Application 2020/162.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke said during the 14 day consultation process, Council received 197 submissions in total.
“Council sincerely thanks the community for putting forward their feedback in respect to the Development Application,” he said.
“Council appreciates ongoing engagement with the community to understand important issues, consider improvements that can be made and to ensure our residents’ voices are heard. We thank the community for engaging with Council consistently, especially on this subject matter, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for our community.”
Mayor Bourke said that there was concerns raised in respect to the limited exhibition time provided for comment from the community during the second time the Development Application was exhibited.
“In accordance with Council's community participation plan, 14 days is the minimum time allowed and this was complied with,” he said.
“The reason the engagement process concluded on September 3, was to ensure adequate time for the submissions to be reviewed by the expert witnesses involved in the case prior to all documentation, including expert witness reports being lodged with the Court on Monday, September 13. Council remains committed to following the process, governed by relevant legislation.”
Mayor Bourke said Council will continue to provide updates to all objectors to the application and further updates will be provided in due course.
“Ultimately a decision on this Development Application will be made by the Commissioner appointed to preside over the final hearing of the Land and Environment Court proceeding,” he said.
“Council assures the community that their views are being considered in all aspects of this matter.”