The Main Arm Rural Residents Association (MARRA) has raised concerns over the changes to the development application (DA) being sought by the approved multiple occupancy (MO) development at 84 Blindmouth Road, Main Arm.
The 12-lot MO was approved in 2020, but is seeking to not only change from an MO to a community title (CT) but to also double the housing allocation on the site and change a number of consent conditions that were placed on the MO.
Dwelling increase and dogs allowed
‘This DA is using the backdoor which allows conversion of an MO to CT and also is seeking an increase in dwellings from 12 to 24,’ said MARRA president, Ronald Priestly.
The application to change to CT also seeks to remove the no cats and dogs condition, which MARRA says is of significant concern.
‘The DA backs on to forest which includes the National Parks’ Inner Pocket Nature Reserve (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/inner-pocket-nature-reserve)’.
‘A major concern is the destruction that dogs and cats, who may live in these 24 houses, will cause to the National Park Reserve if the no dog and cat provision is to be waived.
‘National Parks have been notified and have promised involvement,’ said Mr Priestly.
‘There is also nothing to stop holiday letting and changing the consent conditions means houses will be built without proper regard to road frontage, distance between houses, creek and natural amenity destruction.
‘Most importantly, the fire hazard increases enormously and a new bushfire assessment report is not provided.
‘There are no CT lots on this road. This development will more than double the number of houses and population in this valley. It is completely inappropriate and is not complementary to the rural and environmental attributes.
‘Main Arm Village is the designated area for residential development and increased population. There will be issues with water supply, a dam, sewerage disposal, vegetation management and traffic’, Priestly added.
Submissions regarding this development are due by Friday, January 24 on Byron Shire Council’s website.
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