Developers have secured approval for changes to a contentious Myocum subdivision, but requirements banning pets and providing a cycle path and vehicle turnaround will remain.
The Northern Regional Planning Panel unanimously approved modifications to the community title development at 53 McAuleys Lane on October 13, following a public meeting the previous day.
The application sought changes to the subdivision layout and internal road alignment, permission to keep dogs under controls, and removal of requirements for a cycle path and turnaround in McAuleys Lane.
While changes to the layout were approved, the final consent retains the prohibition on keeping cats and dogs, except assistance animals.
The road infrastructure requirements also remain, including a pedestrian path connecting the development to the bus stop in Mullumbimby Road.
‘Provision must be made to provide a cycle path from the development to 180 Mullumbimby Rd,’ the retained consent condition states.
The decision follows months of community concern about the proposed changes to the development, which was originally approved in June 2025.
The panel considered 15 objections, with concerns including traffic and road safety, the impact of allowing dogs, wastewater disposal and the visual impact of an additional lot.
Objectors also questioned whether the modified proposal remained substantially the same development and raised concerns about application documents and notification of previous submitters.
The panel concluded that the proposal remained substantially the same development and approved the modifications subject to conditions.
‘The Panel notes that in addressing these issues, appropriate conditions have been imposed,’ its determination states.
The final consent requires a revised on-site sewage management plan before a subdivision works certificate can be issued.
Among other requirements, the plan must demonstrate minimum separation distances between wastewater disposal areas on a specified lot and a neighbouring dam and groundwater bore.
It must also address the separation between another lot’s disposal area and a watercourse, with any reduced stream buffer supported by a risk assessment.
The approval advances the development towards construction, although further requirements must be met before subdivision works can begin.
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