By Darren Coyne
The state government has approved the rezoning of the North Lismore Plateau, paving the way for a residential development catering to more than 3600 people.
It is the second time a rezoning of the 255 hectares of land has been approved, with the first approval thrown out by the NSW Land and Environment Court following a challenge by Bundjalung man Michael Ryan.
The Echonetdaily has been unable to reach Mr Ryan, but the principal solicitor for the NSW Environmental Defenders Office, Sue Higginson, said the latest approval would be closely scrutinized.’
‘We will be having a look at what has been approved with our client [Mr Ryan] and make a decision from there,’ Ms Higginson said.
‘The original case was about making sure E-zones are in place because there were no E-zones in the original plans [approved by the state government]’.
Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell told ABC radio this morning that she was confident the development could now proceed without interruptions.
‘There were concerns that because E-zones were removed there wasn’t adequate protection for Aboriginal heritage up there,’ she said.
‘That has now been put back in and as well as that there is now some additional protection for Aboriginal people and places so that’s why we are confident that the whole thing will go ahead.’
The North Lismore Plateau development will encompass an estimated 1550 new dwellings and increase Lismore’s population by more than 3600 people.
‘North Lismore Plateau has been in the making for 15 years and is essential for Lismore’s future growth and prosperity,’ Cr Dowell said.
‘The appeal against the rezoning has delayed the process, but it was always based on an error in administrative process, and we have now rectified that. This gazettal is fantastic news for Lismore – the development will bring with it more jobs, new families, affordable housing, and much-needed development in the west of the city. At the same time, Council has expanded the area of environmental conservation zoning in recognition of the cultural heritage significance of this land to the local Aboriginal community.
The council has completed a 1km gravity sewer along Dunoon Road and is currently working on a water main to service the North Lismore Plateau. These preliminary infrastructure works should be complete by the end of June.
The council is hoping that building can begin on-site by the end of 2016.
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