Lismore residents have until Friday to have their say on a development application for the North Lismore Plateau.
The proposed development involves the creation of a new suburb. Initial proposals are for 433 residential allotments, with the total expected to be 1300 allotments.
Opponents of the development are urging people to lodge their objections to the proposal prior to the cut-off date.
They argue that the DA fails to adequately address concerns that have been raised about cultural and species impacts.
In September last year, Echonetdaily reported that archeologists visiting the site had identified rock walls that they believed pre-dated European contact.
They have also raised concerns that Aboriginal sites, including burials and artefacts would be disturbed by any development.
‘The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan did not include a site inspection carried in the presence of the indigenous custodians,’ opponents say.
‘Among threatened species is the Thorny Pea, 90 per cent of whose specimens are found on the North Lismore Plateau. There are no clear proposals surrounding its effective protection.’
Concerns have also been raised about the Lismore City Council using ratepayers money to subsidise the proposed development.
‘Lismore City Council proposes to subsidise the developers to the tune of $22 million over a number of years.
‘The council has approached this proposed project with 100 per cent certainty that it will go ahead, despite the fact that it will not be making the final decision. Somewhere between $1-2 million has already been invested in a sewerage trunk line.’
They point out that the final decision will be made by the Joint Regional Planning Panel, that approve nearly 100 per cent of projects that they evaluate.
To make a submission go to: http://tracker.lismore.nsw.gov.au/…/A…/005.2017.00000270.001
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