Latest news with #GreenCorridorCoalition
The Advertiser
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Extremely difficult to swallow': developer's frustration at decision to preserve urban bushland
The state government has declared it wants to save the vast majority of a parcel of bushland on Newcastle's outskirts for conservation rather than housing. In a landmark decision that went against an Independent Planning Commission recommendation, only a small section of 505 Minmi Road at Fletcher will be built on. Under the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's rezoning determination released on Friday, about 3.6 hectares (just under 15 per cent) of the 26-hectare site has been zoned for residential use. It represents a reduction of 9.7 hectares from what was originally proposed. It is estimated that the rezoned land could be used to build 35 to 40 lots compared to the 180 lots originally proposed. The area zoned for environmental conservation has increased from 12.98 hectares to 22.7 hectares. Peter Durbin, who bought the site 23 years ago with a view to developing it, expressed "disappointment and frustration" at the determination, which he said flew in the face of the state government's push to build more housing. "We requested a six-week extension from the department so we could apply under Freedom of Information to get the koala habitat data from the council. We believe the koala habitat is a great distance away from our property, but obviously, we can't prove that until we see that (data)," he said. "The council denied our application, and so did the department. To request a six-week extension so that we get an opportunity to use the documents that have put a nail in the coffin after 23 years doesn't seem like much of a request to me, but they denied it. We find that extremely difficult to swallow." Residents who have been campaigning for the site to be used as a green corridor and City of Newcastle celebrated the department's determination. "This is a great day for urban conservation in Newcastle, but it is also the final milestone for the Green Corridor Coalition, which set itself the very ambitious task of connecting together all national parks in the Lower Hunter to form the 65-kilometre-long Stockton Bight to Watagans Regional Biodiversity Corridor, with the regional park corridor being a prominent part of our 2003 vision statement," lead community campaigner Brian Purdue said. Mr Durbin said he was considering the implications of the rezoning on his plans for the site. In addition, he had written to Planning Minister Paul Scully to express his concern about the rezoning process; however, he had not received a response. "The Department of Planning was pushing hard to get housing in the area and all of a sudden it changed and we don't know why," he said. "They can say it's because of the koala, but if they really wanted housing, they would let us have a look at the report and comment on that, but they won't." The state government has declared it wants to save the vast majority of a parcel of bushland on Newcastle's outskirts for conservation rather than housing. In a landmark decision that went against an Independent Planning Commission recommendation, only a small section of 505 Minmi Road at Fletcher will be built on. Under the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's rezoning determination released on Friday, about 3.6 hectares (just under 15 per cent) of the 26-hectare site has been zoned for residential use. It represents a reduction of 9.7 hectares from what was originally proposed. It is estimated that the rezoned land could be used to build 35 to 40 lots compared to the 180 lots originally proposed. The area zoned for environmental conservation has increased from 12.98 hectares to 22.7 hectares. Peter Durbin, who bought the site 23 years ago with a view to developing it, expressed "disappointment and frustration" at the determination, which he said flew in the face of the state government's push to build more housing. "We requested a six-week extension from the department so we could apply under Freedom of Information to get the koala habitat data from the council. We believe the koala habitat is a great distance away from our property, but obviously, we can't prove that until we see that (data)," he said. "The council denied our application, and so did the department. To request a six-week extension so that we get an opportunity to use the documents that have put a nail in the coffin after 23 years doesn't seem like much of a request to me, but they denied it. We find that extremely difficult to swallow." Residents who have been campaigning for the site to be used as a green corridor and City of Newcastle celebrated the department's determination. "This is a great day for urban conservation in Newcastle, but it is also the final milestone for the Green Corridor Coalition, which set itself the very ambitious task of connecting together all national parks in the Lower Hunter to form the 65-kilometre-long Stockton Bight to Watagans Regional Biodiversity Corridor, with the regional park corridor being a prominent part of our 2003 vision statement," lead community campaigner Brian Purdue said. Mr Durbin said he was considering the implications of the rezoning on his plans for the site. In addition, he had written to Planning Minister Paul Scully to express his concern about the rezoning process; however, he had not received a response. "The Department of Planning was pushing hard to get housing in the area and all of a sudden it changed and we don't know why," he said. "They can say it's because of the koala, but if they really wanted housing, they would let us have a look at the report and comment on that, but they won't." The state government has declared it wants to save the vast majority of a parcel of bushland on Newcastle's outskirts for conservation rather than housing. In a landmark decision that went against an Independent Planning Commission recommendation, only a small section of 505 Minmi Road at Fletcher will be built on. Under the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's rezoning determination released on Friday, about 3.6 hectares (just under 15 per cent) of the 26-hectare site has been zoned for residential use. It represents a reduction of 9.7 hectares from what was originally proposed. It is estimated that the rezoned land could be used to build 35 to 40 lots compared to the 180 lots originally proposed. The area zoned for environmental conservation has increased from 12.98 hectares to 22.7 hectares. Peter Durbin, who bought the site 23 years ago with a view to developing it, expressed "disappointment and frustration" at the determination, which he said flew in the face of the state government's push to build more housing. "We requested a six-week extension from the department so we could apply under Freedom of Information to get the koala habitat data from the council. We believe the koala habitat is a great distance away from our property, but obviously, we can't prove that until we see that (data)," he said. "The council denied our application, and so did the department. To request a six-week extension so that we get an opportunity to use the documents that have put a nail in the coffin after 23 years doesn't seem like much of a request to me, but they denied it. We find that extremely difficult to swallow." Residents who have been campaigning for the site to be used as a green corridor and City of Newcastle celebrated the department's determination. "This is a great day for urban conservation in Newcastle, but it is also the final milestone for the Green Corridor Coalition, which set itself the very ambitious task of connecting together all national parks in the Lower Hunter to form the 65-kilometre-long Stockton Bight to Watagans Regional Biodiversity Corridor, with the regional park corridor being a prominent part of our 2003 vision statement," lead community campaigner Brian Purdue said. Mr Durbin said he was considering the implications of the rezoning on his plans for the site. In addition, he had written to Planning Minister Paul Scully to express his concern about the rezoning process; however, he had not received a response. "The Department of Planning was pushing hard to get housing in the area and all of a sudden it changed and we don't know why," he said. "They can say it's because of the koala, but if they really wanted housing, they would let us have a look at the report and comment on that, but they won't." The state government has declared it wants to save the vast majority of a parcel of bushland on Newcastle's outskirts for conservation rather than housing. In a landmark decision that went against an Independent Planning Commission recommendation, only a small section of 505 Minmi Road at Fletcher will be built on. Under the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's rezoning determination released on Friday, about 3.6 hectares (just under 15 per cent) of the 26-hectare site has been zoned for residential use. It represents a reduction of 9.7 hectares from what was originally proposed. It is estimated that the rezoned land could be used to build 35 to 40 lots compared to the 180 lots originally proposed. The area zoned for environmental conservation has increased from 12.98 hectares to 22.7 hectares. Peter Durbin, who bought the site 23 years ago with a view to developing it, expressed "disappointment and frustration" at the determination, which he said flew in the face of the state government's push to build more housing. "We requested a six-week extension from the department so we could apply under Freedom of Information to get the koala habitat data from the council. We believe the koala habitat is a great distance away from our property, but obviously, we can't prove that until we see that (data)," he said. "The council denied our application, and so did the department. To request a six-week extension so that we get an opportunity to use the documents that have put a nail in the coffin after 23 years doesn't seem like much of a request to me, but they denied it. We find that extremely difficult to swallow." Residents who have been campaigning for the site to be used as a green corridor and City of Newcastle celebrated the department's determination. "This is a great day for urban conservation in Newcastle, but it is also the final milestone for the Green Corridor Coalition, which set itself the very ambitious task of connecting together all national parks in the Lower Hunter to form the 65-kilometre-long Stockton Bight to Watagans Regional Biodiversity Corridor, with the regional park corridor being a prominent part of our 2003 vision statement," lead community campaigner Brian Purdue said. Mr Durbin said he was considering the implications of the rezoning on his plans for the site. In addition, he had written to Planning Minister Paul Scully to express his concern about the rezoning process; however, he had not received a response. "The Department of Planning was pushing hard to get housing in the area and all of a sudden it changed and we don't know why," he said. "They can say it's because of the koala, but if they really wanted housing, they would let us have a look at the report and comment on that, but they won't."
The Advertiser
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Decision looms on 23-year-long battle over bushland site
The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said. The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said. The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said. The future of one of the most contentious parcels of land in the Lower Hunter is expected to be determined by the end of the month. The Department of Planning confirmed it is in the final stages of assessing a planning proposal to build 180 homes at 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher. The 26-hectare site has been the subject of a 23-year battle between the site's owner, Peter Durbin, and the local residents' group, Green Corridor Coalition, which has been lobbying to have the land used as a biodiversity corridor. Under a plan put forward by Mr Durbin, housing would be built on half of the site, and the other half would be dedicated to biodiversity. He recently told the Newcastle Herald the plan would complement the state government's efforts to build more homes. City of Newcastle has rejected numerous proposals to develop the site and recommended the state government purchase it for use as a green corridor. But an Independent Planning Commission review found the project had strategic merit as it would provide additional housing to the Hunter Region in accordance with the Department's Hunter Regional Plan 2041. Newcastle councillors threatened legal action after the government stripped them of their planning powers for the proposal. Green Corridor Coalition spokesman Brian Purdue said while 505 Minmi Road was a relatively small housing development, its importance as a wildlife corridor to the regional park far outweighed its size. "The prime consideration of the government must be to ensure this urban bushland corridor between two National Parks remains intact so it can function properly as a wildlife corridor, with width being the most important factor," Mr Pudue said. He said the group had provided the government with detailed information that contradicted information previously used to make decisions about the development. "A one-sided Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel briefing in 2022 resulted in 505 Minmi Road's special land category being changed in the new Hunter Regional Plan 2041 to a Housing Release Area. All reference to the regional park corridor was removed from the Gateway planning proposal, and the site was then put on Public Exhibition with these changes included," he said. The project suffered a major setback last year when the NSW Environment Protection Authority raised concerns about the impact of odours, gases and air emissions generated from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Even though the houses in the proposed development would be further from the waste cell than some existing homes, the proponent was requested to conduct a 12-month study into how 505 Minmi Rd could be affected. A Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure spokesman said the department was undertaking a final assessment of the 505 Minmi Road, Fletcher planning proposal, and consulting with government agencies to consider issues that have been raised, including biodiversity, bushfire risks, and land contamination. "The assessment will inform a finalisation report that responds to submissions made by the community, City of Newcastle, and State agencies," he said.
