Matthew O’Reilly, Saddle Road

I am writing to set the record straight on the Council refusal of the Saddle Road Planning Proposal:

1. Councillors did everything they could to keep the Bruns Eco Village (BEV) proposal alive and to separate it out from the totally inappropriate Villa World-style development proposed on the rest of the ridge.

2. Councillors have effectively invited the BEV to re-submit a new standalone proposal.

3. The planning department and Council staff both recommended that the planning proposal be refused.

4. The existing residents of Saddle Road have never opposed the BEV development in principle.

5. BEV and the rezoning proponents are entitled to make an application for a rezoning review to the Joint Regional Planning Panel.

6. It is completely inappropriate for BEV and the rezoning proponents to rely on the preliminary Draft Byron Residential Strategy when they know full well that page two of the exhibited document made the following clear disclaimer:

‘This document is a draft for public comment and should not be used by anyone as a basis for investment or other private decision-making purposes in relation to land purchases or land uses. Although initial consultation on landowner interest in the areas shown on the exhibited maps will occur during the exhibition process, it must be understood that these maps may be subject to significant changes after the exhibition process, when adopted by Council and/or when endorsed by the Department of Planning and Environment. Therefore potentially affected landowners are encouraged to remain informed and involved throughout the strategy process. This Strategy has no status until formally adopted by Council and endorsed by the Department of Planning and Environment.’