Skennars Head locals have raised concerns over zoning changes to the Local Area Plan (LEP) for more medium density and commercial zoning applied for by Intrapac Property in relation to the development of the Skennars Head Expansion Area opposite Sharpes Beach and adjacent to Skennars Head.
A development application (DA), that will be determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) is currently under consideration to ‘undertake the first stage of a residential subdivision comprising 227 residential lots, five public reserve lots, seven super lots for future subdivision, five utility lots and one residue lot.’
However, it is the changes to LEP that will potentially allow for the re-zoning of 2.9ha of the 28.29ha site from R2 low density housing to R3 medium density housing and the increase of the B1 Neighbourhood Commercial zone from 0.087ha to 1.32ha.
‘If the re-zoning of the neighbourhood commercial zone goes ahead it will increase the current size they have applied for by 15 times,’ said Skennars Head local Lee Middleton.
‘They have also asked for a rezoning of 29,000m sq development at a minimum 300m sq lots with no additional green or community space.’
However, Ballina Mayor David Wright told Echonetdaily that ‘The development has been around for a number of years. There have been some changes advertised and the submissions are coming in quite quickly. Any late submissions are considered if they are submitted before the report comes before Council.’
Ballina Shire Council’s acting manager for strategic planning, Klaus Kerzonger, also confirmed with Echonetdaily that the 10m height increase (from8.5m), originally requested by the developer was rejected by council.
‘The height limit extension is not being re-considered and is off the table,’ said Mr Kerzonger.
Find out more on LEP changes and look up the development application number is 2017/244.
I maybe wrong but the traffic gridlock to this is the same as at West Byron. There is one major traffic interchange out and into the estate and more traffic is added as there is a road flowing in from a neighbouring estate, and at that interchange there is cross traffic to the car park to the beach. This is not the city of Sydney but Lennox Head. Surely there would have to be traffic lights at the entrance and to the carpark at the beach.
What is needed is an on-ramp and off-ramp and that means bridges to get the traffic on and off the highway without interruption. A good design is not for now but the future in 10 years time, when the traffic has doubled as well as the population.