There was division in the council as it passed a motion to approve a development application for a 323-dwelling estate in Tocumwal.
The Berrigan Shire Council has given a major housing development the green light, despite concerns over existing infrastructure and services.
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Councillors passed a motion to approve the development application of a 323-dwelling housing estate located at Burma Rd, Tocumwal, at a meeting of council on Wednesday, July 16.
Speaking in favour of the motion, Councillor Matthew Hannan said he believed the development would enhance the economy of the local shire.
“And [it] will also add to the tourist attractions that we’ve developed over a period of time,” he said.
“We have a lot of small businesses that have established themselves or have just established themselves in Tocumwal, and I believe a development like this will further sustain their businesses in the community.”
The proposed housing estate, which has now received the green light from council. Source: MHE Development.
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The motion to approve the application was carried with the support of councillors Hannan, Katie Ngatokoa, Renee Brooker, Renee Paine, Catherine Healy and Julia Cornwell McKean.
Councillors John Stringer and Sharon Dennis were the only votes against the motion.
Cr Dennis outlined some of the concerns she had heard from residents.
“If you’re looking at putting two people in each house, that’s 600 people. That’s a 10 per cent increase in the population,” she said.
“And although you’ve said it’s staggered, it’s still an increase, it’s still a cost on services, there’s been nothing about the cost of the sealing of the road and what that is to the council cost as well.”
Councillors Matthew Hannan, John Stringer, Deputy Mayor Renee Paine, Katie Ngatokoa, Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean, Renee Brooker and Catherine Healy. Absent: Sharon Dennis.
The application was for a 29-lot subdivision at 32 Burma Rd, Tocumwal.
Alongside 323 dwellings, it included plans for internal roads, recreation areas and communal facilities.
On January 6, the proposed housing estate was shared on the Club Tocumwal Facebook page.
In the post, club chief executive Paul Gemmill wrote that Club Tocumwal had partnered with the MHE Development Group to develop the land bordering its Presidents golf course at the northern end of the facility for a combination of residential subdivision lots and over-55s lifestyle living.
“An exciting opportunity for lovers of golf and the beautiful river town of Tocumwal is here in 2025,” the post reads.
On its website, the MHE Development Group wrote the planned village will incorporate 324 contemporary homes on verdant tree-lined avenues with pockets of open parkland.
“The modern, central Community Building will house communal state-of-the-art leisure facilities,” the site reads.
“Located close to the Tocumwal town centre and all of its amenities, the site is well-positioned to take advantage of all that the region has to offer for a complete tree change. The total site size is 21 hectares and the new Village is planned for release in 2025 (subject to Council approval).”
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